Muddy Run Pumped Storage Facility

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Muddy Run Pumped Storage Facility is a pumped-storage hydroelectric generation facility in Drumore Township, Pennsylvania, USA. When completed in 1968[1], Muddy Run was the largest pumped-storage facility in the world. The facility is operated by Susquehanna Electric Company, a subsidiary of Exelon.

The facility's upper reservoir is the 1,000 acre (4 km²) Muddy Run Reservoir, with a full pool elevation of over 500 feet (152 m). Muddy Run Reservoir was created by damming Muddy Run with a 4,800 foot (1,463 m) long, 250 foot (76 m) high, rock filled dam[1]. The lower reservoir is the Conowingo Reservoir, created in the Susquehanna River by the Conowingo Dam, with a normal pool elevation of 109 feet (33 m). The power house uses excess grid capacity during off peak hours to pump water from the Conowingo Reservoir into the upper reservoir through four 25 foot (7.6 m) diamter, 343 vertical foot (105 m) shafts. During peak power demand periods, the water is allowed to flow back from the lake through the shafts to the eight turbines causing the pumps to act as generators. Muddy Run has a capacity of 1,071 Megawatts[2].

The Muddy Run electrical machinery was designed by the noted engineer Eugene C. Whitney of Westinghouse Electric Company, who designed the machinery for the Grand Coulee Dam #3 powerhouse. Gene "was present when the machines were first to be started. The operator was reluctant to take the first step. Gene said, 'Call your boss.' The boss said, 'If Gene says to start the machines, start them.' So they did, and water rose from the lower Susquehanna River to the upper reservoir, 400 feet above"[3].

The upper reservoir extends into Martic Township. The area around the upper reservoir is operated as a park, complimenting the nearby Susquehannock State Park. Susquehannock State Park has an overlook trail with a good view of the Muddy Run facility.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Muddy Run Warning System To Be Tested Oct. 13 (2005-10-03). Retrieved on 2006-07-29.
  2. ^ Muddy Run Pumped Storage Facility. Retrieved on 2006-07-29.
  3. ^ Harder, Edwin L.; Lee A. Kilgore (2002). Memorial Tributes: National Academy of Engineering, Volume 10 249-50. The National Academies Press.
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