The Conowingo Dam nears a century of use as a hydropower facility. Yet, concerns mount regarding deficient fish passageways, looming species extirpation, sediment releases into Chesapeake Bay, insubstantial flood control capacity and potentially dangerous storm surge response. Considering the hazards this dam presents to the health of the Susquehanna River watershed and public safety, when is the right time to re-evaluate the costs and benefits of maintaining the status quo?
Conowingo produces enough power for approximately 155,000 homes and $5,000,000 in local tax revenue, but the station rarely operates at its peak capacity (572 MW). Additionally, although Conowingo is located fairly close to a high-voltage transmission line junction (≥345 kV) that crosses the Susquehanna at Three-Mile Island nuclear facility, the dam is about 80 km from Baltimore and more than 130 km from Philadelphia, the main energy markets in the region.
Conowingo produces enough power for approximately 155,000 homes and $5,000,000 in local tax revenue, but the station rarely operates at its peak capacity (572 MW). Additionally, although Conowingo is located fairly close to a high-voltage transmission line junction (≥345 kV) that crosses the Susquehanna at Three-Mile Island nuclear facility, the dam is about 80 km from Baltimore and more than 130 km from Philadelphia, the main energy markets in the region.