As of 2007, the Hells Canyon Hydroelectric Complex was responsible for 40 percent of Idaho Power's total power generation. The three dams have a capacity of 1,167 megawatts combined and produce about 6,053 gigawatt hours per year. Idaho Power's hatcheries produce almost seven million salmon and steelhead smolt to release in the Snake River system each year. Since the completion of the Hells Canyon complex, with the exception of the lower Snake River dams, only one major hydroelectric dam has been built in the Snake River system – the Army Corps' Dworshak Dam (1973), in the Clearwater River basin. Like the Hells Canyon dams, Dworshak also generated controversy over its impact on fisheries, and also made no provision for fish passage; rather, a hatchery was built at the base of the dam.
As of 2007, the Hells Canyon Hydroelectric Complex was responsible for 40 percent of Idaho Power's total power generation. The three dams have a capacity of 1167 megawatts combined and produce about 6,053 gigawatt hours per year. Idaho Power's hatcheries produce almost seven million salmon and steelhead smolt to release in the Snake. River system each year Since the completion of the Hells Canyon complex, with the exception of the lower Snake River dams, only one major hydroelectric dam has been built in the Snake River system – the Army Corps' Dworshak Dam (1973), in the Clearwater River basin. Like the Hells Canyon dams, Dworshak also generated controversy over its impact on fisheries, and, also made no provision for fish passage; rather, a hatchery was built at the base of the dam.