Power for Progress: Highlighting our feathered friends

GREC geese
Canada Geese, like this pair spotted near a Grand River Energy Center (GREC) pond, are a common sight around the facility. However, they are not alone. Several different species of waterfowl have been spotted on the site, at various times.

Power for Progress…

A weekly column from the Grand River Dam Authority

Highlighting our feathered friends

What do Canada Geese, Blue-winged Teals, Lesser Scaups, and even Great Egrets have in common?

At one time or another, all these feathered friends have paid a visit to the Grand River Dam Authority’s Grand River Energy Center (GREC).

Since the facility began operations in 1980s, its ponds and other acreage have been havens for waterfowl and other wildlife that may be simply passing through or maybe even making a home there.

While those Canada Geese would be considered the most frequent visitors, with some even living and even nesting on site, plenty of others are around from time to time to keep the geese company. That list includes the American Bald Eagle, Great Blue Heron, Common Gallinule, Snowy Egret, and Green Heron. Also spotted from time to time have been: Mallards, Wood Ducks, Hooded Mergansers, Coots, Buffleheads, Red Heads, Blue-winged Teals, Gadwalls, and Widgeons. Also, add in some Ring Necks, Canvasbacks, Shovelers, Golden-eyes, Snow Geese, and Pintails. In other words, a lot of feathered friends have paid the site a visit over the years.

With environmental stewardship among its core missions, GRDA is proud to be a sanctuary for so many species of waterfowl, right next door to its round-the-clock, reliable electricity production.

GRDA is Oklahoma’s largest public power utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, employees, and efficiency.