Northwest Hydropower
Following Nature’s Current: Hydropower in the Northwest
This publication explores the role of hydropower in our quickly evolving carbon-free, clean energy, power generation future. The Northwest is embracing and balancing new innovations, technologies, and energy resources as we navigate extreme weather and climate change. It’s an exciting time, rich with possibility and collaboration.
Northwest Hydroelectric Projects Maps & Directory
Learn about hydroelectric projects in the Northwest – browse alphabetically, search using keywords, filter projects based on owner, recreational resource and other criteria, and browse state maps showing exact locations of hydroelectric projects in the Northwest.
Hydropower Tours
Walk Through a Hydroelectric Project
Take a tour through a hydroelectric project. Learn how the force of falling water is converted to electricity.
Fish Passage Tour
Learn the different ways and technologies used for salmon to migrate up and downstream past hydroelectric projects.
Inside a Hydropower Generator
See inside a generator, where a spinning shaft, electromagnets and a ring of copper work together to generate electricity.
Visit Snohomish County PUD’s Woods Creek Project
Throughout the Northwest, small, run-of-river hydroelectric projects provide power to our communities. The Woods Creek project is an excellent example to learn how they do this.
Hydropower Videos
Hydro Appreciation
In the era of climate change, over half the Northwest’s electricity is provided by carbon-free, clean, renewable, low cost hydropower.
The Journey of Hydropower Video
Follow the journey of hydropower from a water drop falling as snow in the mountains to an energy watt traveling on an electricity superhighway to your doorstep.
Rivers to Power Video
In this video, you’ll receive an overview of why and how hydropower provides the majority of electricity to the Northwest.