Potential water power of Lake Chakachamna, Alaska

Bruce Lawellin Jackson

doi:10.3133/ofr6174

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Potential water power of Lake Chakachamna, Alaska

Bruce Lawellin Jackson

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Abstract

Lake Chakachamna, in view of its area, altitude, and location on a region of high precipitation and runoff, has a large potential power value. The outflow from the lake, based on limited streamflow records varies from less than 60 cfs to well over 15,000 cfs, with an annual flow in 1960 of 3196 cfs or 2,320,000 acre-feet. With this pronounced variation in flow, regulation by storage is necessary for power development. The requisite storage can be developed by drawing the lake below its natural level. For complete regulation, a drawdown of 78 feet would be required. Regulation of 90 percent of mean flow can be accomplished with a drawdown of 67 feet. Construction of a dam at or near the lake outlet is not considered feasible. The most likely site for a powerhouse appears to be in the McArthur River Valley where a mean head of as much as 1004 feet could be utilized which with a mean flow of 3196 cfs could develop 218,000 kw. The principal market for this power would be the Anchorage and vicinity area and the Kenai Peninsula.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 61.04132064729359° to 61.25520856033796° latitude; -153.46504003618713° to -152.35691037863626° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Bruce Lawellin Jackson. 1961. Potential water power of Lake Chakachamna, Alaska. https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr6174

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