The Glendale Hydroelectric Project, located on the Housatonic River in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, consists of a dam and powerhouse originally built in 1906. It includes a 250-foot-long concrete gravity dam, two manually operated intake gates, and four turbine units with a combined installed capacity of 1.14 MW. The project operates run-of-river, maintaining a 23-acres reservoir and ensuring a minimum flow of 90 cfs to protect aquatic habitats, as required by regulatory agencies. Water is diverted through an intake canal and penstock to generate electricity, with automated systems controlling operations.
The existing penstock, comprising a 250-foot-long, 12-foot-diameter steel penstock, serves a critical function in transporting water from the canal to the powerhouse. Over time, the steel penstock had deteriorated significantly, reaching the end of its serviceable life. This degradation, coupled with increasing safety risks due to corrosion and potential structural failure, prompted the initiation of a rehabilitation.
To address the issue, Turner Group provided comprehensive design services aimed at restoring the structural integrity and extending the operational life of the penstock. Several rehabilitation alternatives were carefully evaluated, taking into consideration factors such as cost-effectiveness, structural performance, constructability, and long-term durability. The selected solution involved the application of a 4-inch-thick reinforced shotcrete liner throughout the interior of the penstock. This method provided both structural reinforcement and a protective barrier against future corrosion, effectively restoring the penstock’s functionality while enhancing safety.
In addition to the design phase, Turner Group provided construction support including periodic on-site construction observation and construction administration services. The repair was successfully completed while ensuring safety, efficiency and alignment with the project’s long-term operational goals.