Occum Hydroelectric Plant and Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Occum Hydroelectric Plant and Dam
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | N of Bridge St., W side of the Shetucket River, Norwich, Connecticut |
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| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1865 |
| Architect | Potter, Henry T.; Chandler & Palmer |
| NRHP reference No. | 96001459 |
| Added to NRHP | December 06, 1996 |
The Occum Hydroelectric Plant and Dam is a special place in Norwich, Connecticut. It's a historic power plant that uses water to make electricity. You can find it north of Bridge Street, right on the west side of the Shetucket River.
This site is important for two main reasons. First, it has parts of a very old dam built in 1865. This dam was originally made for textile mills. Second, it has an early hydroelectric plant that started making power in 1934. It's one of the few old hydroelectric plants still around in Connecticut. Because of its history, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
Contents
What is the Occum Plant Like?
The Occum Hydroelectric Plant and Dam is located on the Shetucket River. It sits between northern Norwich and southern Sprague. The site includes the dam itself, a structure that lets water in, and a small brick building called a powerhouse.
The Dam's Design and Age
The dam is about 14 feet (4.3 meters) tall. It's made from a mix of granite and concrete. The older parts of the dam, built in 1865, are huge granite blocks. These blocks are now mostly covered with gravel on the river side.
The original dam was about 300 feet (91 meters) long. Today, about 280 feet (85 meters) of that old part still remains. The dam is now 450 feet (137 meters) long in total. The extra length is a concrete part added after a big flood. This flood happened during the 1938 New England hurricane.
How the Plant Works
The dam holds back water, creating a small reservoir. This water can then be directed through special openings called headgates. These headgates and the intake structures are also a mix of old and new parts. The water then flows into the brick powerhouse, which was built in 1934. Inside, the moving water spins turbines, which then create electricity.
History of the Occum Plant
The dam was first built in 1865. Its main job was to provide water power for textile mills located downstream. Back then, it had intake structures on both sides of the river. This meant it could power mills on both the Norwich and Sprague sides.
From Mills to Electricity
A mill on the Norwich side of the river kept running until 1980. However, in 1934, the city of Norwich bought the dam and its water rights. They decided to change its purpose. Instead of powering mills directly, they converted it to generate hydroelectric power. This means it started making electricity from the flowing water.
Surviving the 1938 Hurricane
The dam was badly damaged during the huge floods of the 1938 New England Hurricane. After the storm, the eastern end of the dam had to be rebuilt using concrete. The power station at Occum is a rare example of an early hydroelectric plant. It's one of the few plants of its age that are still standing in Connecticut.
