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New York power
Generates renewable electricity from the Black River, supporting New York communities and producing enough electricity for about 470 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 Port Leyden Hydroelectric Project, which sits on the Black River, ranks #129 of 142 by 2024 electricity produced. It is a conventional hydroelectric plant, meaning it turns the energy of flowing river water into electricity without burning anything. It began operating in 1985 and is owned by Lyonsdale Hydroelectric Co., Inc.
In 2024 the plant generated 4.7 gigawatt-hours, a gigawatt-hour being a unit for a very large amount of electricity, which is about 470 homes’ worth. Its two generators have a combined capacity of 1.0 MW, a megawatt being the most power the plant can produce at one moment. The electricity is delivered through National Grid’s local system.
Environmental impact
Produces electricity without burning fuel, which avoids roughly 1,800 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year compared with producing the same electricity from the national mix of power sources — about the same as keeping about 710 tons of waste out of a landfill.*
Nearby places worth exploring
Port Leyden sits in Lewis County, with the Black River running through the area. Lowville is a short drive away, and the Tug Hill Plateau rises nearby. Whetstone Gulf State Park features a deep gorge with rim trails.
Local school district
South Lewis Central School District
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* 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.
