Hydroelectric Plants

For more than a century, we’ve used the Otter Tail River as a renewable resource to provide our customers with reliable and affordable energy while keeping the environment and safety at the forefront of our operation. 

About the relicensing process

We began the multi-year process to relicense our five hydroelectric plants along the Otter Tail River in 2016. On February 17, 2022, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued its order for a new 40-year license.

The Fergus Falls community has grown and thrived alongside the plants: Dayton Hollow (1909), Hoot Lake (1914), Pisgah (1918), Wright/Central (1922), and Taplin Gorge/Friberg (1925). We'd proposed to (FERC) to relicense the plants as they are today because relicensing is more cost effective for our customers than other options—and because doing so would maintain reservoirs near where customers and community members have built their homes.

Previous meetings

Otter Tail Power Company held an Updated Study Report Meeting at the Bigwood Event Center on April 29, 2019.

• Presentation: Updated Study Report Meeting

Otter Tail Power Company held a Study Report Meeting at the Bigwood Event Center on April 26, 2018.

• Presentation: Initial Study Report Meeting
• Presentation: 2017 Aquatic Studies

Otter Tail Power Company held a second voluntary open house at the Bigwood Event Center on June 5, 2017.

• Handout: Process for relicensing hydroelectric plants
• Displays: About the plants, Timeline of relicensing process, Upcoming study and surveys

Otter Tail Power Company held a Proposed Study Plan Meeting at the Bigwood Event Center on December 13, 2016.

• Presentation: Hydroelectric Plant Relicensing - Proposed Study Plan Meeting

FERC held scoping meetings at the Bigwood Event Center on August 30-31, 2016.

• Presentation: FERC Scoping Meetings for the Otter Tail River Hydroelectric Project

Otter Tail Power Company held a voluntary open house at the Bigwood Event Center on April 18, 2016.

• Handout: Process for relicensing hydroelectric plants
• Display: Timeline for hydroelectric plant relicensing process
• Display: Descriptions of hydroelectric plants on Otter Tail River

Helpful resources

FERC's Hydropower Licensing—Get Involved—A Guide for the Public

Project boundary maps

Public Reference File Directory

To request copies of materials found in the Public Reference File Directory, you may:

• Email: [email protected]
• Call: 218-739-8930
• Mail: Otter Tail Power Company Communications, 215 South Cascade St. Fergus Falls, MN 56537

We'll respond to requests within 20 days. Electronic copies are free. Hard copies are available but require reimbursement for reproduction and postage costs. We will not charge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, or tribes for reproduction or postage costs.