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<br />Typically, a wealth of information is available either <br />free or for very little cost from state or federal <br />agencies or other sources. Examples might include <br />detailed topographic maps from the city engineer's <br />office, river profile and cross section data from the <br />Federal Emergency Management Administration, or <br />the many water resource studies performed by the <br />Corps of Engineers. This information could cost <br />thousands of dollars to develop independently. <br /> <br />If the required topographic and river bottom surveys <br />are unavailable, the site must be surveyed to obtain <br />the necessary river profile, cross section, and topo- <br />graphic data. These data are required to calculate <br />tail water rating curves, accurately determine head, <br />estimate excavation quantities, and perform other <br />tasks essential to a hydropower feasibility study. <br /> <br />Two of the major steps during the feasibility study are <br />the determination of installed capacity and the <br />identification of suitable turbine-generator equipment. <br />These deserve special attention. <br /> <br />Installed Capacity <br /> <br />The second major aspect of the feasibility study is to <br />determine installed capacity. Selecting the near- <br />optimum capacity of a hydroelectric plant can be time <br />consuming and expensive. However, it is a necessary <br />part of any engineering feasibility study; and with the <br />aid of a computer, the necessary input data can be <br />rapidly manipulated to aid the engineer in making the <br />proper selection. <br /> <br />Because the majority of small hydro sites currently <br />being considered for redevelopment are marginally <br />feasible, care must be exercised in properly planning <br />and estimating the costs associated with redevelop- <br />ment. Once a conceptual layout for a project has been <br /> <br />28 <br />