The district currently owns and operates two hydropower plants that were constructed as components of the Quail Creek Project: Hurricane and Quail Creek. Both plants have been paid in full and yield combined annual revenues of more than $1 million.
Hurricane Hydro returns water from the plant to the Virgin River below the La Verkin Hot Springs to satisfy the downstream water rights at the Washington Fields Diversion. Generated power is sold to Hurricane City to help satisfy its municipal power needs. The plant, which was completed in 1987 at a cost of $1.3 million, generates up to 600 kilowatts.
Quail Creek Hydro was completed in 1985 for $2.7 million. It produces power as a ‘run of the pipeline’ system, meaning all water that flows through the Quail Creek pipeline travels through this hydropower plant. It uses the pipeline’s water pressure to generate electricity, building from the 350-foot elevation difference between the diversion and plant. After the water flows through the plant, it flows into the Quail Creek or Sand Hollow reservoir. Generated power is sold to Dixie Power for local municipal use. The plant’s capacity is 2.4 megawatts.