Upper Falls Power Plant is a
hydroelectric
Hydroelectricity, or hydroelectric power, is Electricity generation, electricity generated from hydropower (water power). Hydropower supplies 15% of the world's electricity, almost 4,210 TWh in 2023, which is more than all other Renewable energ ...
power plant and dam complex on the
Spokane River
The Spokane River is a tributary of the Columbia River, approximately long, in northern Idaho and eastern Washington in the United States. It drains a low mountainous area east of the Columbia, passing through the Spokane Valley and the city o ...
located in
Downtown
''Downtown'' is a term primarily used in American and Canadian English to refer to a city's sometimes commercial, cultural and often the historical, political, and geographic heart. It is often synonymous with its central business district ( ...
Spokane, Washington
Spokane ( ) is the most populous city in eastern Washington and the county seat of Spokane County, Washington, United States. It lies along the Spokane River, adjacent to the Selkirk Mountains, and west of the Rocky Mountain foothills, south o ...
. The facility is located on the Upper
Spokane Falls
Spokane Falls is the name of a waterfall and dam on the Spokane River, located in the central business district in downtown Spokane, Washington. The city of Spokane was also initially named "Spokane Falls".
History
The Native American name ...
in
Riverfront Park where the river splits into three branches around snxw meneɂ (formerly known as Canada Island)
and Havermale Island. The power plant was completed in 1922 by Washington Water Power and is still operated by the company's successor,
Avista
Avista Corporation is an American energy company which generates and transmits electricity and distributes natural gas to residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Approximately 1,550 employees provide electricity, natural gas, and othe ...
.
History
Early settlers to what is now Spokane were drawn to the multiple waterfalls in what is now the heart of the city-center for their potential to power saw and grain mills for the timber and agricultural potential of the surrounding region.
Prior to the development of the Upper Falls Power Plant in 1920, multiple less-advanced generation facilities had existed on the site. Washington Water Power owned the site, and wanted to expand the power generation capability of the location. In 1920, construction began on the current power plant. It was equipped with a vertical turbine, the first of the kind used by Washington Water Power and among the first in the Western U.S.
The power plant became operational in 1922 with a capacity of 10 megawatts.
Facility
The diversion dam which forces the Spokane River through the power plant stretches from the western tip of Havermale Island across the north branch of the river to the north bank between Washington Street downstream and Division Street upstream.
The dam is approximately 0.4 miles upstream of the power station.
Downstream of the diversion dam the river splits into two branches which surround snxw meneɂ (Canada Island). In the diversion channel, which follows the river's southern branch, runs along the south side of Havermale Island. The water in the diversion channel is placid compared to the rapid-filled branches north of Havermale Island and snxw meneɂ
due to the presence of the gate house above the power plant. The area surrounding the diversion channel is a popular gathering place for waterfowl and visitors to Riverfront Park.
Water flows from the diversion channel in the south through the power plant just downstream of the tip of snxw meneɂ and immediately upstream of the Monroe Street Dam which harnesses the power of the Lower Falls.
Gallery
Upper Spokane Falls Diversion Dam 2018a.jpg, Diversion dam looking downstream
Upper Spokane Falls Diversion Dam 2018b.jpg, Diversion dam looking upstream
CONTEXTUAL VIEW OF THE UPPER FALLS GATE HOUSE, FOREBAY IN FOREGROUND, LOOKING NORTH. - Washington Water Power Spokane River Upper Falls Hydroelectric Development, Gate House, HAER WASH,32-SPOK,5A-1.tif, Gate house above the power plant with the diversion channel in the foreground
Upper Spokane Falls 20080524.jpg, Outflow from the power plant visible on the right among the whitewater
See also
*
List of dams in the Columbia River watershed
There are more than 60 dams in the Columbia River watershed in the United States and Canada. Tributaries of the Columbia River and their dammed tributaries, as well as the main stem itself, each have their own list below. The dams are listed i ...
References
{{Spokane River dams , dam=Upper Falls
United States power company dams
Dams on the Spokane River
Hydroelectric power plants in Washington (state)
Dams completed in 1922
Energy infrastructure completed in 1922