Vesconite Bearings is pleased to announce the installation of its Vesconite Hilube hydroelectric components at the Lake Creek Hydroelectric Plant, which was officially commissioned in Troy, Montana, in October 2024.

According to Canyon Hydro, which performed the plant’s retrofit for owner and operator Northern Lights, the plant’s startup was smooth, and everything worked well.

“The unit is online and the customer has accepted it,” Canyon Hydro states.

The project marks an important collaboration for Vesconite Bearings, as the installation involved a range of advanced, no-swell, self-lubricating bearings designed for hydroelectric applications.

Components installed include:

 • Upper Wicket Gate Bushing

 • Intermediate Wicket Gate Bushings

 • Lower Operating Ring Radial Wear Pad

 • Operating Ring Horizontal Wear Pad

 • Upper Operating Ring Radial Wear Pad

 • Lower Wicket Gate Bushings

 • Long and Short Wicket Gate Link Bushings

 • Wicket Gate Thrust Washer

 • Gate Shaft Lower Bearing Insert

 • Gate Shaft Upper Bearing Insert

 • Gate Shaft Actuator Lever Arm Bushing

 • Connecting Rod Bushing

Lake Creek Dam is small relative to other hydroelectric dams in the region but it remains important since it provides about 10% of Northern Lights’ power. The Vesconite Hilube high-performance parts are integral to the plant’s operation and efficiency, helping to ensure smooth and reliable generation of power.

The grease-free Vesconite Hilube components provide an environmentally friendly solution that ensures there are no oil or grease spills in this run-of-river application.

"Vesconite Bearings has a longstanding reputation as a trusted supplier for hydroelectric projects, and we are excited to be part of the Lake Creek Project," says Vesconite Bearings application engineer Louis Gouws.

"Our self-lubricating, no-swell Vesconite Hilube components are designed to enhance the longevity and reliability of equipment, and the Lake Creek installation demonstrates their effectiveness in real-world applications.”