Kerry Falls Hydro-Electric Scheme

Kerry Falls Hydro-Electric Scheme
Loch Bad an Sgalaig Dam impounds the water supply for the power station
Location of Kerry Falls Hydro-Electric Scheme in Highland
Country	Scotland
Location	Gairloch, Wester Ross
Coordinates	57°41′07″N 5°38′37″W / 57.6852°N 5.6435°W / 57.6852; -5.6435
Purpose	Power
Status	Operational
Opening date	1952
Owner(s)	SSE

v t e Kerry Falls Hydro-Electric Scheme
Legend
Loch Kerry (sealoch) River Kerry Kerrysdale  B8056  bridge Loch na Doire Mòire Lochan Druim na Fearna Weir Kerry Falls power station Loch nam Buainichean River Kerry + pipeline Pond and dam Am Feur-Loch Bad an Sgalaig Dam Loch Bad an Sgalaig Lochan a' Chleirich Dubh Loch Abhainn a' Gharbh Choire to Loch Maree Loch Garbhaig Abhainn Loch na h-Oidhche Loch na h-Oidhche

Kerry Falls Hydro-Electric Scheme, sometimes known as Gairloch is a small-scale hydro-electric power station, built by the North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board and commissioned in 1952. It is located near Gairloch in Wester Ross, part of the Highlands of Scotland. It was originally designed to supply power to local communities in this remote area, but is now connected to the National Grid.

The River Kerry below the power station is a Special Area of Conservation, due to the presence of an internationally important population of freshwater pearl mussels. It also hosts populations of salmon and trout, without which the mussels could not reproduce. The hydro-electric scheme is thought to contribute to the success of the mussels, as Loch Bad an Sgalaig traps silt, which if deposited on gravel beds can suffocate mussels and fish embryos. The flow on the river is also relatively stable for long periods, although subject to step changes when turbines are switched on or off, and flows are maintained throughout the year, enabling salmon and trout to enter the river.