Hydroelectric power has been one of Kiewit’s most sustainable markets since its 1930s venture in North Platte, Nebraska. Revisit some of Kiewit’s most noteworthy dams in this Kieways retrospective, highlighting hydroelectric projects through the years.
1967 | Portage Mountain
Kiewit crews completed Portage Mountain Dam, the largest hydroelectric project in the Western Hemisphere of its time, in the fall of 1967. Located on the Peace River and nearly 700 miles north of Vancouver, this British Columbia project had a generating capacity of 2,300 MW. Over 57 million cubic yards of fill material were used to construct the dam over a four-year period.
1983 | Nipawin Dam
Development of the Nipawin Hydroelectric Power Station is one of the foremost examples of harnessing the Saskatchewan River. The 252 MW project was situated in east central Saskatchewan, three miles upstream from the town of Nipawin. The town is named after the Cree word for a “resting place,” where indigenous families would wait while traders crossed the river to sell furs and other goods.
1989 | Crescent-Vischer Ferry
In June 1988, Kiewit was awarded a contract by the New York Power Authority for extensive work on two Mohawk River dams. This included the structural, mechanical and electrical rehabilitation of the Crescent and Vischer Ferry powerhouses and dams, as well as the construction of a new powerhouse at each site. The electrical upgrade amounted to energy savings of 3.2 million gallons of oil per year.
1996 | Thompson Falls
Located on the Clark Fork River 100 miles northwest of Missoula, Montana, this design/build hydroelectric project was built at the site of an existing powerhouse and dam that were constructed in the early 1900s. Besides managing all aspects of the design/build project, Kiewit and its joint-venture partner took on the additional responsibility of procuring the turbine-generator equipment for Montana Power Company.
2000 | Keenleyside
Keenleyside Powerplant marked a significant milestone for Kiewit. The project was not only the largest project Kiewit had undertaken in Canada, but also one of the company’s most environmentally sensitive endeavors yet. Working with a dedicated environmental team, multiple animal habitats were created and restored throughout the construction timeline.
