Elfin Cove Utility Commission is in the permitting and final design phase for a run-of-river hydroelectric project at Crooked Creek and a storage project at Jim’s Lake, to serve the community of Elfin Cove. The project will include a diversion structure on Crooked Creek, a penstock from Crooked Creek to a small powerhouse on Jim’s Lake, a small dam and siphon intake at Jim’s Lake, and a penstock from Jim’s Lake to a powerhouse near tidewater. The project will have an installed capacity of 150 to 200 kW and is expected to produce enough electricity to meet ~90% of Elfin Cove’s existing electrical demand, with additional generation for interruptible loads.

Crooked Creek at gauging station and proposed diversion site (photo courtesy Polarconsult Alaska, Inc.)