Skip to main content
Chat Icon Contact Us
Lightning Bolt Icon Outage Map
Pay Online Icon My Account
Pay Now Icon Pay Now
High Speed Fiber Internet From DMEA Get Elevate Internet NOW!
Home
Menu
  • Account Services
    • My Account
    • Payment & Billing Options
    • Financial Aid
    • Rates
    • Start/Stop Electric Service
    • Time-of-Use
    • New Construction Information
    • Unclaimed Capital Credits Search
  • News & Publications
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletters
    • Industry News
    • Annual Report
    • Position Papers
    • Member Handbook
  • About Us
    • About DMEA
    • Contact Us
    • Annual Meeting and Elections
    • Board of Directors
      • Service Area
    • Capital Credits
    • Co-op History
    • Financial Statements
    • Bylaws
    • Meeting & Events
    • Leadership Team
  • Efficiency
    • Home Energy Evaluation
    • Free Home Weatherization
    • Home Energy Audits
    • Home Energy Monitors
  • Renewables
    • Garnet Mesa Solar
    • South Canal Project
    • Community Solar Array
    • Net Metering
    • Qualifying Facilities Information
  • Community
    • Operation Round Up
    • Scholarships
    • Youth Leadership Programs
    • Educational Services
    • Community Sponsorships
  • Safety
    • Outages
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Trees & Your Power
    • Education
    • Play It Safe
    • Spring Burning
    • Kid's Safety
  • Careers
    • Current Job Listings
  • High Speed Internet
    • About Elevate
    • Elevate For Business
    • Elevate Home Phone
    • Elevate Internet

South Canal Project

The South Canal Hydroelectric Project is comprised of two small hydro turbines, totaling 7.5 MW, situated along the South Canal in Montrose, CO. DMEA and the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association partnered to develop the generation units, which produce approximately 27,000,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity annually. This is roughly equivalent to the power used by 3,000 homes in DMEA’s service territory. Electricity is produced during the irrigation season, April through October, to match the existing flow of water.

It is estimated that the South Canal project, will eliminate more than 275,000 tons of carbon from entering the atmosphere over a 30-year period, while producing about 6-7 megawatts (MW) of capacity annually.

South Canal History

If you live in the Uncompahgre Valley, you’re part of a vision that began more than 100 years ago.  In 1909, the fledgling U.S. Bureau of Reclamation revealed its first major project, the 5.8 mile Gunnison Tunnel, an engineering marvel and the longest irrigation tunnel in the world at the time. President William Howard Taft was present to officially open the tunnel, enabling our semi-arid zone to be transformed into a thriving agricultural community.

A century later, that vision expanded when DMEA and the Uncompahgre Valley Water Users Association (UVWUA) announced plans to construct a multi-million dollar hydroelectric plant along the South Canal. The plant delivers water from the Gunnison Tunnel to the valley.

DMEA, together with the UVWUA, officially broke ground on the South Canal Hydroelectric Project on May 25, 2012. The project included the construction of two run-of-river intakes and two powerhouses that would operate without damming. The facilities are located on two of three, previously identified sites, labeled “Site 1” and “Site 3.” “Site 2” is reserved for potential development in the future.

Back to Top

Quick Links

  • 2021 DMEA Business Grants
  • Board Portal
  • Careers
  • Contact Us
  • Elevate Internet
  • News
  • Pay My Bill
  • Statement of Nondiscrimination
 

Follow Us Online

Facebook Icon
Linkedin Icon
YouTube Icon

Has DMEA sponsored an event or cause close to your heart? Tell others what DMEA has meant to you here!
 

Tell us how DMEA has positively impacted your community!

©2023 Delta-Montrose Electric Assn.. A Touchstone Energy Cooperative

  • Account Services
    • My Account
    • Payment & Billing Options
    • Financial Aid
    • Rates
    • Start/Stop Electric Service
    • Time-of-Use
    • New Construction Information
    • Unclaimed Capital Credits Search
  • News & Publications
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletters
    • Industry News
    • Annual Report
    • Position Papers
    • Member Handbook
  • About Us
    • About DMEA
    • Contact Us
    • Annual Meeting and Elections
    • Board of Directors
      • Service Area
    • Capital Credits
    • Co-op History
    • Financial Statements
    • Bylaws
    • Meeting & Events
    • Leadership Team
  • Efficiency
    • Home Energy Evaluation
    • Free Home Weatherization
    • Home Energy Audits
    • Home Energy Monitors
  • Renewables
    • Garnet Mesa Solar
    • South Canal Project
    • Community Solar Array
    • Net Metering
    • Qualifying Facilities Information
  • Community
    • Operation Round Up
    • Scholarships
    • Youth Leadership Programs
    • Educational Services
    • Community Sponsorships
  • Safety
    • Outages
    • Call Before You Dig
    • Trees & Your Power
    • Education
    • Play It Safe
    • Spring Burning
    • Kid's Safety
  • Careers
    • Current Job Listings
  • High Speed Internet
    • About Elevate
    • Elevate For Business
    • Elevate Home Phone
    • Elevate Internet