The Langdale Hydroelectric Project is comprised of a 15’ tall stone masonry dam and powerhouse. The Riverview Hydroelectric Project is comprised of a 10-foot-tall concrete diversion dam (Crowhop) and 11 an 11-foot-tall concrete headrace dam and powerhouse. Both hydroelectric projects are considered run-of-the-river and are located within approximately 2 river miles of each other on the Chattahoochee River, Georgia. The hydroelectric projects have not operated since 2009, with the current FERC licenses for the Projects expiring at the end of 2023. The river flow at the Projects is regulated by the discharges from the upstream U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ West Point Dam, which contains a hydroelectric station that operates as a peaking facility and provides flood control for the region. As a result, river flows vary from a base flow of 700 cubic feet per second (cfs) up to 16,000 cfs. Georgia Power Company seeks to surrender the FERC licenses and partner with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove the three Project dams and the Riverview powerhouse to provide a free-flowing section of the Chattahoochee River to support aquatic resources such as the shoal bass.
Kleinschmidt is assisting Georgia Power with all FERC submittals including the license surrender applications and dam decommissioning plans; performed the H&H modeling and water quality studies; assisted in developing materials for public and agency meetings. Kleinschmidt also designed the removal of all three dams and the Riverview powerhouse, which included evaluating the breach size under numerous river flow conditions, based on the operation of the upstream USACE peaking facility. Kleinschmidt designed a new channel and rock ramp structure to ensure adequate river flow in the Riverview headrace channel and provide necessary dilution at the municipal wastewater treatment plant outfall. Kleinschmidt also designed a decommissioning and stabilization plan for the Langdale Powerhouse. Following FERC approval, Georgia Power anticipates dam removal in 2024.
Using our understanding of FERC license surrender and dam decommissioning process, we will provide an acceptable dam decommissioning design that allows for the removal of the three dams and Riverview Powerhouse and associated liability for Georgia Power while returning the river to a free-flowing condition.
Regional Vice President
Steve Layman, Ph.D.
“I really enjoy the energy and collaborative spirit for sound science and creative solutions that protect the environment here at Kleinschmidt.” Steven Layman has over 35 years of hydropower-specific experience and is Kleinschmidt’s Southeast Region Vice President. Steve is a senior aquatic ecologist and fisheries biologist who specializes in leading ecological assessments and managing project...