Business & Tech

Canton Hydroelectric Plant To Officially Open Saturday

The public is invited to a special open house and grand opening ceremony Saturday at the Farmington River site.

The Farmington River in Canton is the star of the show at Saturday's grand opening of the Canton Hydro power plant.
The Farmington River in Canton is the star of the show at Saturday's grand opening of the Canton Hydro power plant. (Tim Jensen/Patch)

Town of Canton

CANTON, CT — Those curious about seeing the power of the Farmington River, quite literally, should attend a special grand opening of a new hydroelectric plant in Canton Saturday.

Canton Hydro LLC is hosting an official grand opening with the Town of Canton at its 50 Bridge St. site on Saturday, May 20, at 12:30 p.m., with formal tours going from 1 to 3:30 p.m.

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There, an open house of the new Upper Colllinsville Hydroelectric Project will take place.

The event will begin with remarks by dignitaries and officials, including an overview of the project followed by a general open house during which attendees can tour the facility and learn about its design and operation from Canton Hydro staff and others.

Find out what's happening in Cantonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

A new efficient Kaplan turbine and generator have been installed inside the 1935 brick powerhouse across the river from the old Collins Co. mill complex.

The facilities include upstream and downstream fish passages, as well as specific facilities for eel passage.

The Denil fishway will allow fish to get past the dam for the first time in nearly 200 years and a viewing window will allow fish to be counted as they migrate past.

Parking will be in Collinsville and the site can be reached via a short walk across the bridge. The event will be held outside and attendees should dress for the weather.

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