Dorena Hydro Rubber Dam
The design of the Dorena Lake Dam Hydropower project near Cottage Grove, Oregon, includes the use of an inflatable rubber dam. This rubber dam, supplied by HTE Engineering, was installed at the end of the hydro plant’s tailrace, effectively re-routing the tailwater and turning it upstream along a training wall for a short distance before it enters the dam spillway. The purpose of this system is to allow a longer running distance, when needed, to help increase the water quality downstream of the hydropower plant. When this function is not needed, the rubber dam deflates and the tailwater flows directly into the dam spillway.
This rubber dam system includes one single span, 38.5 feet in length and 6 feet high when fully inflated. HTE Engineering also supplied the turbine and generator equipment for the Dorena Hydropower Plant.