The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Bonneville Power Administration are teaming up to explore ways to modernize the hydroelectric facilities at McNary Dam.

The fifty-year-old hydroelectric power plant is located near Umatilla, Ore., on the Columbia River. The generating units were installed during the years of 1954 to 1957. No significant investments have been made to improve the efficiency of the generating units since they were installed.

To maintain reliability, the aging turbines and the associated equipment have to be replaced or upgraded. This presents an opportunity to improve turbine passage for fish and increase power output. Taking advantage of the technology and information that has become available since the installation of the dam more than 50 years ago, the project could result in replacing all 14 turbines and related electrical equipment at the dam.