Occoquan Dam Hydropower License Surrender Fact Sheet

The Occoquan Reservoirs

Fairfax Water has initiated the process of surrendering its Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) operating license for the hydropower facilities of the Occoquan River.

The primary purpose of the Occoquan reservoirs is drinking water supply, with water storage provided by the Upper and Lower reservoirs. The power generation facilities, intended only for supplemental power supply to Fairfax Water facilities, are not currently operational and it is not economically feasible to restore the generation facilities to an operational condition. This surrender action is being taken to facilitate removal of the power generators; both dams will remain intact.

Reservoir and Hydropower Facts

Reservoir Purpose: Drinking water supply to help meet the demands of 1.5 million people in Northern Virginia.

Location: Approximately one mile upstream of the Town of Occoquan, Virginia located on the reach of the Occoquan River that defines the border of Fairfax and Prince William Counties, Virginia.

Date of Dam Construction: 1950-1958

Power Capacity: Two (2) 500-KW units and One (1) 350-KW units for a total of 1.35 megawatts. None of these units are currently operational.

License Surrender Highlights

• Prior safety inspections recommended that FW conduct investigations and prepare alternatives for repair to the Upper Dam powerhouse intake tower wall due to seepage and stability concerns. Investigations and an alternative study have been completed and FW is currently in the process of designing the most effective repairs for the wall.
   

• The decommissioning plan is for removal of hydroelectric generation equipment at both the Upper and Lower Dams, and modification of the powerhouse at the Upper Dam to facilitate repairs and for the housing of water supply-related equipment and controls.
   

• When the license Surrender Order is issued by FERC the generating units at both the Upper and Lower Dams will be removed. A portion of the powerhouse at the Upper Dam will be demolished and rebuilt. The remaining works at the Upper and Lower Dams will be undisturbed.
   

• Fairfax Water has determined that the hydroelectric equipment is no longer economical to operate due to the cost of operation and necessary repairs at the facility.
   

• Upon license termination, the facilities will be regulated by the Commonwealth of Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Dam Safety and Floodplain Management.
   

• An Initial Consultation Document (ICD) providing basic information about the license surrender process has been prepared and distributed to a variety of stakeholders, including federal, state and local agencies as well as potentially interested parties as required by FERC.
   

Schedule
 

Contact Information

Greg Prelewicz
Chief, Source Water Protection and Planning
Fairfax Water
8560 Arlington Blvd
Fairfax, VA 22031
(703) 289-6318
gprelewicz@fairfaxwater.org