The City of Crystal Falls, located in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, is a small community that is committed to sustainability and renewable energy. The city has taken a proactive approach to addressing climate change and reducing its carbon footprint by developing renewable energy projects in various sectors, including small hydro.

Small hydro, also known as micro-hydro, is a type of renewable energy that harnesses the power of moving water to generate electricity. It is a highly efficient and reliable source of energy that can be used in remote areas or in places where grid electricity is not available. Small hydro systems typically generate between 5 and 100 kilowatts of electricity, making them ideal for small-scale applications such as powering homes, farms, and small businesses.

The City of Crystal Falls has identified small hydro as a key sector for renewable energy development. The city has several small hydro projects in various stages of development, each with the potential to generate clean, reliable electricity for the local community.

One of the city's most significant small hydro projects is the Crystal Falls Hydroelectric Plant. The plant is located on the Paint River, which runs through the heart of the city. The plant has been in operation since 1912 and was originally built to power the city's streetlights and water pumps. In recent years, the city has invested in upgrading the plant to increase its capacity and efficiency.

The Crystal Falls Hydroelectric Plant currently has a capacity of 1.6 megawatts and generates approximately 5 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. This is enough to power over 500 homes in the local community. The plant operates using a "run of the river" system, which means that it uses the natural flow of the river to generate electricity without the need for a dam or reservoir. This approach minimizes the environmental impact of the plant and ensures that the river's natural flow is maintained.

Another small hydro project that the City of Crystal Falls is developing is the Stager Lake Hydroelectric Project. The project is located on Stager Lake, which is a small lake located approximately 10 miles north of the city. The project involves the installation of a small hydro turbine in the lake's outlet, which will generate electricity as the water flows out of the lake.

The Stager Lake Hydroelectric Project has a capacity of 100 kilowatts and is expected to generate approximately 300,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. This is enough to power around 30 homes in the local community. The project is currently in the planning and permitting stage, and the city is working closely with local stakeholders to ensure that the project is developed in a way that minimizes its environmental impact.

In addition to these projects, the City of Crystal Falls is also exploring the potential for small hydro development in other areas of the community. The city has identified several sites where small hydro turbines could be installed, including on the Michigamme River and the Iron River. These projects are still in the early stages of development, but they have the potential to significantly increase the city's renewable energy capacity and reduce its reliance on fossil fuels.

Overall, the City of Crystal Falls is a leader in renewable energy development, particularly in the small hydro sector. The city's commitment to sustainability and its proactive approach to addressing climate change have made it a model for other communities to follow. By developing small hydro projects, the city is not only generating clean, reliable electricity but also creating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and promoting a more sustainable future for its residents.