LIHI Certificate #170 - Dwight Project, Massachusetts

Project Name Dwight
LIHI Certificate No. 170
LIHI Certificate Term April 3, 2023 – April 2, 2033
Owner Central Rivers Power, MA, LLC, a subsidiary of LS Power/ Patriot Hydro, LLC
State Massachusetts
Location River mile 1.2, Chicopee River
Installed Capacity 1.464 MW
Average Annual Generation 3,493 MWh
Facility Type Run of river
FERC No. 10675, exempt 1992

The Dwight Project is located on the Chicopee River in the City of Chicopee, Hampden County, Massachusetts. Most of the facilities at the project were built in the mid-1800s as part of the Dwight Manufacturing Company. The Company consisted of several buildings associated with mill operations. An original dam, at the location of the existing dam, along with several buildings, the power canal, several bridges and penstock gates were constructed in 1832 at the Dwight Company complex. At that time, the complex included hydromechanical units. The current Dwight dam was constructed in 1856. The powerhouse was built in 1920 to contain three turbines-generator units that replaced the existing hydromechanical units.

Although the Chicopee River is only 18 miles long, its watershed is 721 square miles, the largest in all of Massachusetts, and the largest tributary watershed to the Connecticut River. During the Industrial Revolution, the Chicopee River became a particularly sought-after destination for hydropower, largely because it drops 260 feet over its course.

The project is the most downstream dam of six hydroelectric facilities on the Chicopee River which discharges to the Connecticut River about 1.2 miles downstream. The other five facilities are, moving upstream: Chicopee Falls (FERC No. 6522), Indian Orchard (LIHI #112), Putts Bridge (LIHI #102), Collins (LIHI #88), and Red Bridge (LIHI #96).

The project includes a stone masonry dam, a canal headgate house, a power canal, intake structure for three operable penstocks, a powerhouse with three operable turbines, a tailrace channel, and appurtenant facilities.

The dam, which was built ca. 1860, and consists of a 306-foot-long spillway and abutments. The northern abutment is constructed of cut stone and measures approximately 12 feet by 25 feet. The stone masonry overflow spillway is 15 feet high by 306 feet long, with a permanent crest elevation of 77.0 feet. The southern abutment is also constructed of cut stone, measures approximately 9 feet by 23 feet, and also serves as the north abutment of the headgate house. The dam creates and impoundment extending approximately 1,500 feet upstream with a surface area is approximately 32 acres.The canal headgate house is a brick structure on a concrete foundation, housing the six intake gates that control the flow from the impoundment to the power canal. The southern abutment of the canal headgate house is constructed of cut granite. The six head gates are all of timber construction, 5.5 feet-high by 8-feet wide. Each gate is equipped with a motor-driven rack and pinion operator.

The 80-foot-wide power canal extends 1,500 feet from the headgates to the penstock intake structure. The power canal extends another 1,500 feet further downstream where historically other industrial water users on the canal diverted the water from the downstream end of the canal. The south wall of the canal is of concrete and masonry construction while the north wall is formed from masonry and rock ledge. The canal is about 6 to 8-feet deep during normal operation. The intake structure is constructed of concrete and measures approximately 69 feet by 22 feet. Steel trashracks span 54 feet of the north wall of the canal, across the three operable penstocks. A rail-mounted trash rake traverses the intake. Three float-activated, wooden, 8-foot-diameter gates are operated by rack-and-pinion operators. Three operable penstocks lead through a manufacturing complex to the existing units at the Project. The steel penstocks are 7 feet in diameter and 168 feet long.

The powerhouse was built in 1920 to contain three turbines-generator units that replaced the existing hydromechanical units at the site. The powerhouse was shut down in 1973, pending extensive repairs and was rehabilitated in 1980. It was shut down again in September 2013 and not returned to full-time service until December 2016. The powerhouse contains three S. Morgan Smith turbines with a total installed capacity of 1.464 MW.

The intake structure is constructed of concrete and measures approximately 69 feet by 22 feet. Steel trashracks span 54 feet of the north wall of the canal, across the three operable penstocks. A rail-mounted trash rake traverses the intake. Three float-activated, wooden, 8-feet-diameter gates are operated by rack-and-pinion operators. Three operable penstocks lead through a manufacturing complex to the existing units at the Project. The steel penstocks are 7 feet in diameter and 168 feet long.

The project operates in run-of-river mode and impounds a 32-acre reservoir. A continuous minimum flow of 258 cfs is provided into the bypass reach from April 15 – June 30, and 134 cfs the rest of the year, to prevent any adverse impact on fish and wildlife resources in the area. The flow regime was developed in consultation with the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife (MDFW).

Waters within the project reach are designated as Class B warm-water fisheries. The waters are also listed as impaired for E. coli though the likely cause of this impairment is wet weather combined with sewer overflows upstream of the project. Consultation with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection confirmed that the project does not cause or contribute to any adverse water quality standards, pending confirmatory sampling.

The Chicopee River watershed is not currently the subject of migratory fish management efforts. American eel is the only migratory species found throughout the Chicopee River system. Consultation with the MDFW concluded that upstream eel passage should be installed at the project as it is the first dam on the river. MDFW also recommended that downstream passage be installed consisting of full depth ¾-inch clear-space trashracks at the unit intakes and adequate downstream passage around the dam. Interim measures when deemed necessary would include unit shutdowns on rainy nights, and for the next two days from dusk to dawn during the downstream migration season (8/15-11/15) until long-term measures are installed.

The project lands consist of roughly 50 acres. Most of this land is comprised of deciduous forest with some emergent wetlands. The area within and immediately surrounding the project is an urban and industrial developed area with the forest lands creating a narrow, forested buffer around the impoundment. Due to the highly developed nature of the area, no lands of significant ecological value exist in the project area. Further, no critical habitats for any endangered or threatened species exists in the project area. Consultation with the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program of the MDFW concluded that project operations would not impact the Northern long-eared bat, the only endangered species potentially in the project area.

Historic properties in the project area include many of the project facilities originally constructed in the mid-1800s as part of the Dwight Manufacturing company. The original dam, power canal, several bridges, and penstock gates were part of the complex and are eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Additionally, the Ames Manufacturing Company complex of former mill buildings, now the eastern section of the project, was designated a National Register Historic Individual Property in 1983.

The project does not have any recreational amenities due to private land ownership one must cross to gain access to the project. A short walking path runs near the project and is currently slated to be extended. The impoundment is relatively shallow and unsupportive of boating activities. However, public access is provided free of charge if passage is allowed across private property.


Compliance Status

The Certificate includes the following facility-specific conditions:

Condition 1: In annual compliance submittals to LIHI, the facility Owner shall provide a summary of any agency consultation that may occur regarding upstream or downstream American eel passage.  If an agency requests passage studies or passage facilities during the LIHI term, a plan and schedule for implementation will also be provided in the applicable compliance submittal(s).

Condition 2:  The Owner shall consult with the SHPO before undertaking any ground disturbance, construction, repair, or modification to any site features listed in the documents describing the site features considered eligible for or listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Should any such activities be conducted during the term of this LIHI Certification, such as the currently planned Project upgrades, a copy of the required notification/consultation with the SHPO and, if required, with FERC, shall be submitted to LIHI when such agency filings are made. The status of any work conducted following such review shall be filed as part of the annual compliance reports to LIHI.

Condition 3:  The status of Chicopee Riverwalk development activities within or adjacent to the Project boundary shall be summarized in annual compliance submittals.

Condition 4: The facility Owner shall provide LIHI a copy of the report on the results of the water quality testing to be conducted along with comments received from USFWS and MDEP within 60 days of report finalization. Currently, the report is scheduled to be completed by November 30, 2024. If additional testing or other actions are found to be required as a result of this study, then the plan and schedule for implementing those actions shall also be provided to LIHI.

2023: Annual reporting for the current Certificate has not yet taken effect.


Certification History

January 3, 2024: The Low Impact Hydropower Institute has issued a final decision on the mid-term recertifications of the Red Bridge, Putts Bridge, Indian Orchard, and Dwight Hydroelectric Projects. These projects are located on the Chicopee River in Massachusetts. The preliminary decision was announced on November 28, 2023 starting the 30-day appeal window. That window closed on December 28, 2023 and no appeals were filed. Therefore, the decision to recertify the projects is now final. The new project term is shown in the table above and the full mid-term review application and review report can be found below.

November 28, 2023: The Low Impact Hydropower Institute has preliminarily approved Low Impact recertification for the Red Bridge, Putts Bridge, Indian Orchard and Dwight Projects Hydroelectric Projects located on the Chicopee River in Massachusetts. This decision is preliminary pending the 30-day appeal window. Only those who commented on the initial application during the 60-day comment period are eligible to file an appeal. Such appeal needs to include an explanation as to how the Project does not meet the LIHI criteria. Appeal requests can be submitted by email to comments@lowimpacthydro.org with “Chicopee River Projects” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 1167 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA 02476. All requests will be posted to the website. The applicant will have an opportunity to respond, and any response will also be posted. Requests must be received by 5 pm Eastern time on December 28, 2023.  The consolidated review report can be found below.  If no appeal requests are filed, the new certification term will be April 3, 2023 – April 2, 2033.

August 17, 2023: Four LIHI Certified projects located on the Chicopee River in Massachusetts received a consolidated amendment to their FERC exemptions on March 13, 2023.  The projects are Red Bridge (LIHI #96), Putts Bridge (LIHI #102), Indian Orchard (LIHI #112), and Dwight (LIHI #170).  The amendment authorized changes in each project’s operations from peaking to run-of-river along with changes in bypass reach minimum flows at some projects.  In accordance with Section 5.3.4 of the 2nd Edition LIHI Handbook, Revision 2.05, issuance of a FERC exemption amendment that affects the LIHI criteria constitutes a “material change” and triggers a mid-term LIHI Certification review.  New Certificate terms can be granted if the projects continue to satisfy the LIHI criterion, even if the current certification terms have not yet expired. The applicant, Central Rivers Power, MA, LLC (a subsidiary of LS Power/ Patriot Hydro, LLC), has submitted a summary of the operational changes related to the FERC exemption amendment.  Documents are available in the Certification Files Section of each project webpage:

A 60-day public comment period is being opened to allow stakeholders to comment on the submittal. All comments received will be incorporated into the mid-term review report, posted on the LIHI website, and incorporated into the preliminary decision to recertify the projects.  Comments can be submitted to comments@lowimpacthydro.org with “Chicopee River Projects” in the subject line.  Comments must be received by 5 pm Eastern time on October 16, 2023.

January 1, 2022: The LIHI Certificate term has been extended in accordance with Revision 2.05 of the LIHI 2nd Edition Certification Handbook issued January 1, 2022. Refer to the facility table above for the new term.

September 29, 2020: The decision to certify the Dwight Project became final after the close of the appeals period on September 20, 2020 with no appeals filed. The Certification term is from April 3, 2020 – April 2, 2025.

August 21, 2020: The Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) has preliminarily approved the Dwight Project (pending LIHI #170) for a 5-year term of Low Impact Certification. This decision is preliminary pending the 30-day appeal window. Only those who commented on the initial application during the 60-day comment period are eligible to file an appeal. Such appeal needs to include an explanation as to how the Project does not meet the LIHI criteria. Appeal requests can be submitted by email to comments@lowimpacthydro.org with “Dwight Project” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 329 Massachusetts Ave, Suite 6, Lexington, MA 02420. All requests will be posted to the website. The applicant will have an opportunity to respond and any response will also be posted. Requests must be received by 5 pm Eastern time on September 20, 2020. The full application and reviewer’s report are available below. If no appeal requests are received and the decision becomes final, the Certification term for the Project will be April 3,2020 through April 2, 2025.

April 13, 2020: The Low Impact Hydropower Institute has received a complete application for Low Impact Certification of the Dwight Hydroelectric Project.  LIHI is seeking public comment on this application.  Specifically, we are interested in knowing whether you think the Project meets the LIHI Low Impact Certification Criteria, as revised in the 2nd Edition Handbook.  The Project’s application materials can be found below. Comments that are directly tied to specific LIHI criteria (flows, water quality, fish passage, etc.) will be most helpful, but all comments will be considered.  Comments may be submitted to the Institute by e-mail at comments@lowimpacthydro.org with “Dwight Project Comments” in the subject line, or by mail addressed to the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, 329 Massachusetts Avenue, Suite 6, Lexington, MA 02420.  Comments must be received on or before 5 pm Eastern time on June 12, 2020 to be considered.  All comments will be posted to the web site and the applicant will have an opportunity to respond.  Any response will also be posted.


Certification Files

2023 Mid-term Review

2020 Certification


Key Documents