New York power

Generates renewable electricity from the Beaver River, supporting New York communities and producing enough electricity for about 600 homes for a year.*

Air quality & health in Lewis County

Lewis County has a population of 26,548. Across five conditions the American Lung Association tracks — childhood asthma, adult asthma, COPD, lung cancer, and cardiovascular disease — it reports a combined 5,612 cases in the county.

No ozone or particle pollution grades are available for this county in the most recent report. The figures above describe how many residents live with conditions sensitive to air quality — not measured pollution levels.

Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to certain health conditions, particularly for children and older adults. Where electricity comes from affects how much combustion pollution is produced on the grid.

These figures describe the county as a whole and are not specific to this facility. Sources: American Lung Association – State of the Air (New York); U.S. EPA Air Quality Index.

The story behind this New York renewable energy facility

New York has 142 hydropower plants in this category, and the Upper Beaver Falls Project in Lewis County ranks #122 of 142 by 2024 electricity produced. It sits on the Beaver River and began operating in 1985, using one conventional hydroelectric generator, which turns the flow of flowing water into electricity as it passes through.

In 2024 it produced 6.0 gigawatt-hours, a unit that measures a large amount of electricity, or about 600 homes’ worth of yearly use. Its capacity is 1.5 MW, a megawatt being a measure of the most power it can deliver at one moment. It is owned by Eagle Creek Renewable Energy, LLC, and serves National Grid customers.

Environmental impact

Produces electricity without burning fuel, which avoids roughly 2,300 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year compared with producing the same electricity from the national mix of power sources — about the same as not using about 5,700 barrels of oil.*

Nearby places worth exploring

Lowville sits nearby, and the Black River runs through the county. To the west, the Tug Hill Plateau is a broad upland known for its rural landscape. Whetstone Gulf State Park features a deep gorge with rim trails.

Local school district

Beaver River Central School District

Common questions

* Homes-powered and emissions comparisons are annual estimates based on national averages from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. “Homes powered” describes a quantity of electricity, not direct service to specific households. How we calculate this.