Hydropower Project License Up for Public Scrutiny on Rivers
Published Date: 5/27/2025
Notice
Summary
Boott Hydropower wants a new license to keep running the Lowell Hydroelectric Project on the Merrimack River in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The public can now share their thoughts, protests, or support by July 21, 2025, with replies due by September 2. This is a big deal for local communities and the environment, as it shapes how clean energy flows and how the river is cared for.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
River flow and operations requirements
Boott proposes to continue operating the Lowell Project in run-of-river mode and to release 500 cubic feet per second (cfs) into the bypassed reach during the upstream migratory fish passage season (as defined annually) and 100 cfs, or inflow, whichever is less, for the rest of the year. The proposal also would maintain water surface elevations of 86.7 feet NGVD29 in the upper canal system and 71.8 feet NGVD29 in the lower canal system, and specifies minimum and maximum hydraulic capacities of 500 cfs and 8,600 cfs.
Fish passage and eel protection upgrades
Boott proposes to replace the existing E.L. Field fish elevator with a short fish ladder within three years of license issuance, conduct a 1-year shakedown period, and evaluate its effectiveness. Other proposals include modifying the Pawtucket Dam fish ladder, modifying the bypassed reach to enhance upstream passage, installing a fish exclusion facility with a 0.75-inch clear-spaced trashrack overlay, developing an interim nighttime shutdown plan to protect eels from turbine entrainment, and conducting an upstream American eel passage assessment study.
Decommissioning four canal powerhouses
Boott proposes to decommission the Assets, Hamilton, John Street, and Bridge Street powerhouses and to develop a decommissioning plan as part of the new license.
Changes to recreation and historic site boundaries
The applicant proposes to develop an historic properties management plan and consult with the Massachusetts State Historic Preservation Office and the National Park Service to mitigate effects on the Locks and Canals Historic District and the Lowell National Historical Park prior to construction. Boott also proposes a recreation access and facilities management plan and to modify the project boundary by removing a 7.4-mile section from the upstream extent of the impoundment, removing all except the first 2,200-foot-long section of the Northern Canal between Pawtucket Dam and the Pawtucket Gatehouse, and removing all except the first 1,600-foot-long section of the Pawtucket Canal between the impoundment and the Guard Lock and Gates Facility.
Public comment and intervention deadline
You can file motions to intervene, protests, comments, recommendations, or preliminary terms and conditions for the Lowell Hydroelectric Project by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 21, 2025, and reply comments by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 2, 2025. The Commission encourages electronic filing via eFiling or eComment and the Office of Public Participation can help landowners, community organizations, and others with filings.
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