100 years ago, the Oak Grove Powerhouse on the Clackamas River helped electrify Oregon, providing power for homes and businesses as the Portland area developed into the metropolitan center it is today. Over the course of a century, the facility weathered both floods and fires, booms and busts in the economy, and the transformation of the Pacific Northwest.

“The development and growth of Oregon was directly supported by Oak Grove and PGE’s other early hydropower facilities,” said Kenny Gunn, PGE’s cultural resources specialist.

At the time of its construction, Oak Grove stood out for its high head – the distance water falls to reach the powerhouse – making for a highly efficient and productive plant. It also resulted in the creation of Three Lynx village, a community for PGE workers and their families in Mt. Hood National Forest.

“Both Three Lynx and Oak Grove are fascinating pieces of Oregon’s energy history,” said Gunn, whose work involves protecting historical assets, preserving oral records and sharing this history with the public.

Celebrating National Hydropower Week

National Hydropower Week begins on August 19 and culminates in National Hydro Day on August 24. This holiday is an opportunity to educate others about our region’s oldest renewable resource. Hydropower is reliable, flexible, affordable and emissions-free – there’s a lot to celebrate!

Today, Oak Grove remains PGE’s most efficient hydropower facility, generating a total of 44 MW between the plant’s two units – enough electricity to power more than 24,000 homes.

“She’s my favorite plant,” says Garth Wyatt, PGE’s senior plant manager. “As climate change reduces runoff volumes, having highly efficient plants that make the best use of available water will only increase the value of Oak Grove for our customers.”

Oak Grove’s legacy and enduring importance in PGE’s generation fleet highlight the value of hydropower to Oregon communities and clean energy landscape for years to come.

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