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Independent regulatory commissions

NOAA Fisheries Service Supports Surrender of Hydropower Exemption for Lockville Hydroelectric Project

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The NOAA Fisheries Service, Southeast Region has submitted comments to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) on the application for surrender of the hydropower exemption for the Lockville Hydroelectric Project in North Carolina. The project, located on the Deep River, has not generated electricity since 2020 due to equipment issues and a breached dam. The NOAA Fisheries Service supports the surrender of the exemption, citing the project's inability to produce hydroelectric energy and its potential to hinder river restoration efforts.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Lockville Hydroelectric Project, located on the Deep River in North Carolina, has not generated electricity since 2020 due to equipment issues and a breached dam.
  • The NOAA Fisheries Service supports the surrender of the hydropower exemption for the project, citing its inability to produce hydroelectric energy and its potential to hinder river restoration efforts.
  • The project's dam and canal were constructed in 1830 for river navigation, while the hydropower facilities were built in 1922 and operated until 1962.
  • The Commission issued the current project authorization on October 7, 1983, authorizing the project as a baseload generator in a run-of-river mode with a capacity of 1.3 MW.
  • Removal of the dam will restore habitat connectivity and provide suitable spawning habitat for migratory fish species downstream.
  • The NOAA Fisheries Service does not anticipate any long-term adverse environmental effects from the proposed surrender.
  • No modifications to the existing dam, buildings, or structures and no ground disturbing activities are proposed.
  • The project's removal will benefit the riverine ecosystem and improve habitat conditions for migratory fish species.

Statistics:

  • The project's capacity is 1.3 MW.
  • The project's hydropower facilities have not generated electricity since 1962.
  • The project's date of breach was April 18, 2023.
  • The recommended removal of the dam will benefit the riverine ecosystem and improve habitat conditions for migratory fish species downstream.
  • The project's removal will be part of a larger river restoration effort conducted by American Rivers.

Sources:

  • NOAA Fisheries Service, 2025. Comments on the application for surrender of the hydropower exemption for the Lockville Hydroelectric Project (P-6276-042). https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/region/southeast
  • NOAA Fisheries Service, 2025. Accession Numbers: 20250902-3048, 19821201-0090, 19831012-0128, 20230525-3039, 20241121-5086
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 2025. Lockville Hydroelectric Project (P-6276-042). https://elibrary.ferc.gov

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