Electricity! May Electricity! May she be a success!she be a success!

Swan Falls Swan Falls

Boise State University Center for Idaho History and Politics

2011

The first dam on the Snake River, Swan Falls began producing hydroelectricity in 1901. It was built to power the Owyhee mines almost 30 miles away in Silver City. The Idaho Daily Statesman proclaimed it “a magnificent triumph of engineering.”

Erin Pssehl

Idahobyways.gov

The world renowned Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area surrounds Swan Falls. Numerous raptors including eagles, falcons, and hawks flourish here. The high desert canyon is the perfect habitat for other birds, amphibians, and desert mammals, too. Idahobyways.gov

Swan Falls stretches across the Snake River between Owyhee and Ada County sides of the rugged the Owyhee Canyon.

The dam and first power plant are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photo by Frank Lundburg

At the turn of the twentieth century, the mining industry was thriving in the Owyhees. The Trade Dollar Consolidated mining company needed the power of electricity to further their operation. Steam power had been useful, but was not enough to meet the large demand that had developed. The Trade Dollar and large mines like the Blackjack would benefit greatly from this new power source.

Idaho State Historical Society photo

Before construction began, well-known experts L.B. Stilwell, electric manager for the Niagara Falls Power Co. in New York and Thomas T. Johnson, designer of the Chicago canal projects visited Silver City to offer their advice. Two years later, funding was secured, Wiley’s plans were approved, and the project was completed within about 8 months.

Library of Congress

The project was designed by a young Boise engineer, A.J. Wiley.

The Numbers

The dam and power plant were constructed with 4800 barrels of cement, 750,000 feet of timber, and 50 tons of steel bolts.

The concrete portion of the dam measured 12’ x 45’. A 424’ rock crib made up the rest.

The power plant sat atop the concrete section.

The entire project cost about a quarter of a million dollars.

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Four vertical turbines turned a shaft belted to three generators. Each generator produced 300 kilowatts of electricity at 500 volts, alternating current. Library of Congress photos

Out of concern for migrating fish, ladders were eventually installed on the dam to provide safe passage. Unfortunately, the ladders were ineffective. Chinook salmon and steelhead runs were abolished above this point.

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swittersb

Library of Congress

By 1906, a 4400 volt line ran to Nampa and Caldwell to power the interurban railroad. An extension to Pierce Park supplied the electricity for the capitol city’s streetcars. Soon more generators were added, expending power further down the Snake River. For a time, Swan Falls had the largest generation capacity in the state.

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It did not take long for other, more productive hydropower projects to appear along Idaho’s largest water way. Once called the “mad river” by ravaged Astorians, the Snake had earned a new reputation as a life-giving force of nature.

Photo by Erin Passehl

Gates control the amount of water flowing through the dam.

In the years since the dam began operation, many equipment updates and physical reconstructions have taken place. In the 1990s Idaho Power built a new power plant, and made the older plant a museum. Today Swan Falls still provides electricity to the Boise Valley.

Library of Congress

Erin Passehl

Belinda Bowler

Open to the public a few times per year, the Swan Falls Museum is a fascinating display of history and technology.

Pre-arranged tours for school groups and others are available by appointment.Photo by Erin Passehl

Advertisements from an earlier era and interpretive panels Advertisements from an earlier era and interpretive panels teach museum visitors about the safety, convenience, value, teach museum visitors about the safety, convenience, value,

and importance of electricity.and importance of electricity.

photos by Erin Passehl

In front of a backdrop of safety warnings and technical information on the newest turbines, an Idaho Power employee talks to elementary students about the operation of the modern power plant. Students take notes to later reflect on the information. Photos by Belinda Bowler

Supervised students are encouraged to investigate the equipment and facility.

Photos by Belinda Bowler

Swan Falls is an ideal field experience for students of all ages. In the setting of the rugged Snake River Canyon historical innovation bridges with modern industry. Conservation meets technology. Here is illustrated a story of humans navigating challenging and delicate boundaries to harness a renewable, natural resource.

Pictured: Third and fourth grade students from ANSER Public Charter School celebrate a day of hands on learning at Swan Falls. Photo by Belinda Bowler.