Electron, Washington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Electron, Washington
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Unincorporated community
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 Electron, Washington
Location in Washington (state)
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| Country | United States |
| State | Washington |
| County | Pierce |
| Elevation | 584 ft (178 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-8 (Pacific (PST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-7 (PDT) |
| ZIP code |
98360
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| Area code(s) | 253 |
Electron is a small place in Pierce County, Washington, in the United States. It is an "unincorporated community." This means it doesn't have its own local city government. Instead, it is managed by the larger county.
Electron is located right next to the Puyallup River. It is also close to Lake Kapowsin. This community is famous for a special project that makes electricity.
Contents
Electron: A Powerhouse Community
Electron is home to the Electron Hydroelectric Project. This is a big power plant that uses water to create electricity. It is run by a company called Puget Power.
The power plant gets its water from the Puyallup River. About 10 miles upstream from the plant, there is a special structure. This is called the Electron Diversionary Dam.
How the Power Plant Works
The dam helps to guide river water into a long, wooden channel. This channel is called a flume. The flume carries the water all the way to the power plant in Electron.
Inside the plant, the moving water spins large machines called turbines. These turbines then power generators, which create electricity. This clean energy helps power homes and businesses.
A Look Back in Time
The Electron power plant project was built a long time ago. Construction started in 1903 and finished in 1904. The plant began making electricity on April 12, 1904.
In the 1930s, Electron was also the site of a CCC camp. The CCC was a program during the Great Depression. Young men worked on important projects across the country.
Challenges and Rebuilding
In 1936, a big mudslide hit Electron. It sadly destroyed the original power plant building. But people worked hard to rebuild it.
Parts of the plant were fixed by 1937. The entire plant was fully repaired and working again by 1941. Today, Electron still has a small town park for everyone to enjoy.
