Increases in demand for electricity have strained Idaho Power’s existing electrical distribution facilities in the Horseshoe Bend and Garden Valley areas. In order to continue to provide reliable electric service to our customers, and to meet existing and future electrical capacity needs, Idaho Power plans to construct a new 34.5 kV distribution line north of Horseshoe Bend to Garden Valley.

This line will increase the system capacity to handle growth in the area and will increase the reliability of electric service with a second electric source into Garden Valley.

The existing 34.5 kV line is planned to be tapped approximately four miles north and one mile east of the Horseshoe Bend Substation (located just off Idaho 55 on the north side of Horseshoe Bend) and will follow Porter Creek east to Placerville, then north along Alder Creek to Garden Valley.

Poles between Horseshoe Bend and Placerville will be a combintation of wood H-frame and single poles. Poles between Placerville and Garden Valley will be wood, too, approximately 40 feet tall.

The proposed line route crosses private, state and federal lands. We will utilize an existing distribution line corridor. The new line is scheduled to be in service November 2015.

Typical proposed structure for Garden Valley distribution line's source of power

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Project Description

The new 34.5-kV Garden Valley line will use two structure types:

• Single pole wood structures with cross-arms for average spans
• Small H-frame wood or steel pole structures for the required longer spans
• Approximate line miles: 21 miles
• Approximate length on federal lands: 10 miles
• Approximate length on private lands: 11 miles
• Foundations: Direct embedded poles
• Structure heights: 50 to 60 feet on average
• Structure spacing: 300 feet on average