Increases in usage and demand for electricity have severely 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 not only increase the system capacity to handle the growth in the area, it will substantially 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 Nov. 1, 2008.

Check out our Electric Facts, learn more about electricity, or how Idaho Power plans for growth.