Project Overview

Brookfield White Pine Hydro, LLC, a Brookfield Renewable company, owns and operates the Bar Mills Project, a run-of-river dam located on the Saco River in Hollis, Maine. On November 30, 2020, BWPH notified the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) of its intention to surrender the license (FERC No. 2194). In balancing operational, environmental, and future engineering concerns, Brookfield White Pine Hydro determined this approach as the most viable solution. Notifying FERC of the intent to surrender the license is the first step in the decommissioning process that includes agency and stakeholder consultation and environmental and public safety analysis.

What's new

Brookfield White Pine Hydro will be conducting a 5-foot drawdown at the Bar Mills Project to support gate maintenance. The drawdown is planned to begin on Monday, September 16, 2024. We anticipate closing the Bar Mills boat launch on either Tuesday, September 17, or Wednesday, September 18, as the impoundment elevation drops. As with the decommissioning studies drawdown in July, we expect that it will take approximately one week to reach an impoundment water level elevation of approximately 141.75 feet mean sea level, the concrete spillway crest at the dam, pending inflow outside of our control (always a risk during hurricane season). It could take up to a week to evaluate the condition of and potentially repair the deep gate; however, we will refill the impoundment as quickly as we are able upon completion of the work. Please keep in mind it could take several days to refill the headpond depending on upstream inflows.

About Bar Mills Project

Process & Schedules Studies Documents Questions & Answers

Public Safety

During Construction

Please respect all fencing, signage and safety indications;

they are in place to ensure your safety and that of employees

and consultants working on the project.