Klickitat PUD's small hydro plant at McNary Dam generated more than 36 million kilowatt hours (kwh) of electricity during the first half of the year, bringing the plant's total output to 130.5 million kwh since it went on-line in October 1997.

PUD Power Manager Tom Svendsen reported that the output is about 16 percent higher than the same period a year ago, largely due to shorter down time for routine inspection and maintenance in January. This year the plant was down only about two weeks; in 1998 it was out of commission for the entire month of January.

The local PUD owns the small hydro plant with Northern Wasco County PUD in The Dalles. Each utility's share of the output - 18 million kwh - is enough to serve about 1,200 local homes.