Frequently Asked Questions
Will the completed project alter flows in the Applegate River?
No. The project will be operated as a "run-of-river" facility, using only the flows that are released under the normal U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulatory guidelines. This run-of-river project will not alter the reservoir elevation, nor will it alter flows downstream of the dam.
Will large scale distribution lines and towers be necessary between the base of the dam and the Ruch substation?
No. The scale of the project is much too small to warrant the construction of large scale transmission towers. The proposed upgrades to the power line corridor would only add an extra 15 feet in height to the current power poles and the new power line from the base of the dam to the existing corridor will be buried.
Will there be an increased risk to public safety associated with the additional power-lines?
No. The addition of a 69kV single circuit transmission line to the current corridor does not represent a significant increase in risk to public safety.
Will there be any disruption in the local power service when the power line corridor is upgraded?
No. There will be no disruptions to existing service during construction, and the construction associated with the upgrade will take place within the easement.
Will there be an increased risk to public health associated with the additional power-lines?
No. Epidemiological studies completed in the last couple of years show little evidence that power-lines are associated with increased risks of cancer. There is information documenting a weak link between high voltage power lines and childhood leukemia as well as chronic lymphocytic leukemia in occupationally exposed adults. However, lab studies conducted to verify that information have shown no evidence of a link between power frequency fields and cancer. Although studies are on-going, the overall connection between power line fields and cancer remains biophysically implausible. This information was taken from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) 1999 report on the health effects from exposure to power line frequency and electric magnetic fields. In 1992, the United States Congress instructed the NIEHS to direct and manage a research program that would provide the scientific evidence to clarify the potential for health risks from exposure to extremely low frequency electric and magnetic fields (ELF-EMF).
What effect will the completed project have on the overall aesthetics of the area near Applegate Dam?
The construction of this hydroelectric facility should have little effect to the visual resources of the area. The base of the dam can be seen from the highway, but Symbiotics is committed to constructing the powerhouse and associated facilities in a manner that minimizes any effects to the area's visual resources. The figure below is an artist's rendition of the completed project.
