Skip to main content

History of MCWPA

On April 28, 1983 the Madera Irrigation District (MID) and the Chowchilla Water District (CWD) formed the Madera-Chowchilla Power Authority, a joint powers authority, to develop hydroelectric power projects. The name was changed effective March 1, 1998 to Madera-Chowchilla Water and Power Authority, when the Authority assumed responsibility for the operations and maintenance of the Madera Canal. The projects are funded primarily by the sale of power produced by the hydroelectric plants.

The Madera-Chowchilla Water and Power Authority is jointly governed by the Madera Irrigation District and the Chowchilla Water District through a Board of Directors consisting of five members from each the two Districts, for a total of ten directors.

The Authority operates a hydroelectric project on the Madera Canal known as site 980 + 65. The project is operated by the Authority and has a plant capacity of 1,835 kilowatts. The Authority also operates three hydroelectric generating facilities along the Madera Canal with a total plant capacity of 1,915 kilowatts.  These facilities have been leased to MID and CWD. Under the terms of the lease agreement, the Authority will operate and maintain the projects for the Districts. MID and CWD share equally in the net income of the hydroelectric power projects.

May contain: road

.