Hydroelectric Relicensing

Duke Energy - Nantahala Area, has been actively seeking the involvement of local governments, non-governmental organizations, state and federal resource agencies, lake homeowner associations, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, whitewater outfitters and the public over the last three years and will continue to do so throughout the relicensing process.

Duke Energy - Nantahala Area, is relicensing its 10 hydroelectric (hydro) stations and 12 reservoirs on the Hiwassee, Nantahala, Oconaluftee and Tuckasegee Rivers.

The operations of these hydro stations, and the lakes that support them, are licensed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC).

FERC Projects
Project Number
Bryson Project 2601
Dillsboro Project 2602
Franklin Project 2603
Mission Project 2619
East Fork Project 2698
West Fork Project 2686
Nantahala Project 2692
Queens Project 2694

The Queens Creek Project received a new FERC license in 2002. The current licenses for the Bryson, Franklin, Mission and Dillsboro projects were issued in 1980 and will expire in 2005. The current licenses for the East Fork, West Fork and Nantahala projects were issued in 1980 and will expire in 2006.