Vergennes 9B Upgrades

Vergennes, Vermont | Private Client

The Vergennes 9B Hydroelectric facility is a historic hydroelectric plant on the Otter Creek centrally located in downtown Vergennes. Its penstocks were nearing the end of their service lives, and the facility was in need of reconfiguration and operational improvements. D&K worked with the client to design new penstocks and reconfigure the powerhouse to significantly increase output without adverse impacts to resource, maintenance, or footprint requirements. To successfully deliver the project while adjacent improvements were in development and construction, our team worked in close collaboration with the owner, the contractor, and others.

Project Elements

• Preliminary through final design for new 7-ft-diameter steel penstocks
• Design for the installation of steel gates with stems and motor-controlled actuators
• Significant coordination with owner, underwater inspection company, and contractors

Sustainable Elements

The project reconfigured existing building stock to house a more efficient power production system in the same footprint.