The Great Falls Hydropower Project

Waterfalls at the Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park are visible throughout the park alongside the facilities of the Great Falls Hydroelectric Project, New Jersey.

NPS

The Great Falls Hydropower Project is partially located within Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park in Paterson, New Jersey. The City of Paterson and the Great Falls Hydroelectric Company operate the project as co-licensees. The National Historical Park’s history began in 1792 with plans developed by Alexander Hamilton to support novel industrial economies by utilizing the waterpower of the Passaic River and Great Falls, which is the second-largest waterfall by volume east of the Mississippi River. The historic raceway system located adjacent to the project was constructed to harness the energy of the Passaic River’s 77-foot elevation drop and power the network of industrial factories in Paterson.

During the relicensing process, the NPS HAP collaborated with the licensees, park, and gateway community to develop an agreement to increase the times, duration, and magnitudes of aesthetic flows over the falls. Currently, the hydroelectric project provides aesthetic flows of 400-cfs to Great Falls during weekend daylight hours. The resulting 2020 license agreement also conveyed 2.4 acres of land to the NPS, enabling the park to construct a visitor center overlooking the falls, a public amphitheater, and comfort stations. These improvements increased recreational access and opportunities, supported local economy prosperity, and maintained the project’s 10.9 MW energy production – enough to power over 9000 homes.

Tags: paterson great falls national historical park, success story, case study, hydropower assistance program