Crystal Falls Dam and Power Plant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Crystal Falls Dam and Power Plant
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 Location in Michigan
Location in the United States
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| Location | Paint River off Powerplant Road, Crystal Falls, Michigan |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1891 |
| MPS | Iron County MRA |
| NRHP reference No. | 83003678 |
| Added to NRHP | December 22, 1983 |
The Crystal Falls Dam and Power Plant is an important building and dam located on the Paint River. You can find it off Powerplant Road, on the north side of Crystal Falls, Michigan. This historic site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
Contents
History of the Crystal Falls Dam
The area where the dam stands today was once a beautiful spot with many waterfalls and fast-moving water. These natural falls actually gave the town of Crystal Falls its name!
Building the First Dam
In 1891, the people of Crystal Falls decided to build a dam and power plant. This project changed the river by covering up the natural rapids. The new power plant was first rented out to a person named C.T. Roberts from 1891 to 1896. After that, the village of Crystal Falls started managing the plant themselves.
Expanding the Power Plant
As the town grew, more power was needed. So, a brand new power plant was built between 1902 and 1903. The plant was made even bigger in 1907. New machines called generators, which help make electricity, were put in during 1914 and again in 1924.
Even with all these upgrades, the power plant couldn't make enough electricity for everyone. So, starting in 1929, Crystal Falls began buying extra power from another company called the Wisconsin Energy Corporation.
Modern Upgrades and Continued Use
After 1929, the dam and power plant continued to get improvements. For example, in 1931, a new concrete dam was built. This new dam included special parts called rollways and tainter gates to control the water. In 1996, the spillway, which is where excess water flows over the dam, was resurfaced.
Today, the Crystal Falls Power Plant is still working! It is likely the oldest hydro-electric plant still running in the Upper Peninsula. This plant provides about one-third of all the electricity used by the people living in Crystal Falls.
What the Crystal Falls Power Plant Looks Like
The Crystal Falls Power Plant building is two stories tall. It measures about thirty feet wide and sixty feet long. The building has a hipped roof, which slopes down on all four sides.
The power plant is built with yellow brick and has sandstone details. It sits on a strong concrete foundation. Right next to the building is the concrete dam, which stretches across the Paint River. This dam is about seventy-five feet long and fifteen feet high. It has four sections where water can spill over.
