By CRAIG FREILICH

POTSDAM – A crane at the village’s West Dam hydropower facility is drawing attention to the plagued electric generation projects on the Raquette River.

“There are maintenance issues we are trying to address,” said Village Administrator Everett Basford.

One of the two generator installations at the West Dam powerhouse, the newer of the two power installations, “is making a lot of noise” and has been shut down. Basford said.

The other generator there is still running and producing power, Basford said.

Basford described the sound as “a loud whine” that people walking or driving by might have noticed.

The crane is there to help village workers in putting a gate in place so the water can be removed from around the unit and workers can get a closer look at the problem.

Their initial impression is that the noise is being made by “gear wear due to misalignment,” Basford said.

Depending on what they find, they might call in more specialized help.

The two West Dam units have been producing power after a long and troubled installation period.

The two East Dam units have been out of service for months as operators and contractors attempt to finish gear and bearing maintenance that initially went wrong and is having to be redone.