Belly River

Belly River is a three-megawatt run-of-river hydroelectric facility constructed adjacent to the Belly River Inlet Chute near Glenwood, Alberta. The facility is designed to divert a portion of the flow from the Waterton-Belly Diversion Canal to the turbine, producing electric power.

Belly River was commissioned in 1991. Constructed on Alberta Environment’s irrigation system, the facility consists of an intake structure; a 1.8 metre diameter buried steel penstock (gate); a powerhouse; and a 25 kilovolt power line.

The facility is capable of producing about 11,250 megawatt hours each year.

TransAlta owns and operates the Belly River facility through its wholly owned subsidiary Canadian Hydro Developers.

At a Glance

• Technology: Horizontal Francis turbines, Alstom generator

Environmental Highlights

• Protection of the environment is an important part of our hydro power business, as is responsible water use. We continually work with environmental and community groups to ensure habitats are protected, and that all users’ needs are heard.
• The Belly River facility is EcoLogo^M certified by the Environmental Choice Program.