GRAND VIEW, Idaho, August 11, 2022 — Idaho Power is changing its C.J. Strike power plant operations to generate additional clean hydroelectric power during periods of high customer demand. This may cause reservoir levels and flows downstream of C.J. Strike Dam to fluctuate more than in the past.
In the summer, high electrical demand often extends into the evening hours as solar production declines. During these times, Idaho Power needs to increase output from its hydro plants to serve customers and maintain system reliability. Hydro can also quickly respond to changes in wind or solar production due to weather or other situations.
Growth across the region has driven up the demand for electricity, prompting Idaho Power to look for ways to squeeze more electricity out of its existing resources.
Located about 25 miles south of Mountain Home, C.J. Strike is the fifth-largest of the company’s 17 hydro projects. It is also a popular recreation destination. Campers, boaters and anglers may notice more significant changes in water levels than they have experienced in the past. Generally, as the plant generates more electricity, reservoir levels will drop more quickly.
Idaho Power will continue to operate in compliance with its federal license for the project, which allows water levels to fluctuate as much as 1.5 feet. Most of these changes will only be 3-6 inches, however. These operations also depend on current water conditions and electrical needs, so they aren’t likely to occur every day.
If Idaho Power operates all three generators during the critical evening hours, the reservoir level will drop as downstream flows increase. When one unit is online, the downstream flow is about 4,500 cubic feet per second (cfs). With three units running, that flow can approach 15,000 cfs.
Water level adjustments should not have a negative impact on the fish population, which is a major draw for visitors to C.J. Strike. At low reservoir levels, the Jacks Creek boat ramp may not be usable, although other boat access points will remain available. The company will monitor potential impacts to the fishing docks it maintains at the reservoir.
Streamflow conditions are available at idahopower.com/water. More information about camping and other recreation opportunities at C.J. Strike can be found at idahopower.com/recreation.
About Idaho Power
Idaho Power, headquartered in vibrant and fast-growing Boise, Idaho, has been a locally operated energy company since 1916. Today, it serves a 24,000-square-mile area in Idaho and Oregon. The company’s goal to provide 100% clean energy by 2045 builds on its long history as a clean-energy leader that provides reliable service at affordable prices. With 17 low-cost hydroelectric projects at the core of its diverse energy mix, Idaho Power’s residential, business and agricultural customers pay among the nation’s lowest prices for electricity. Its 2,000 employees proudly serve more than 600,000 customers with a culture of safety first, integrity always and respect for all.
IDACORP Inc. (NYSE: IDA), Idaho Power’s independent publicly traded parent company, is also headquartered in Boise, Idaho. To learn more, visit idahopower.com or idacorpinc.com.
Contact:
Brad Bowlin
Communications Specialist
Idaho Power
bbowlin@idahopower.com
208-388-2803