Snoqualmie Falls Cavity Generating Station - Snoqualmie, WA
Posted by: 
stinger503
N 47° 32.600 W 121° 50.294
10T E 587424 N 5266199
Historic Hydroelectric station in Snoqualmie
Waymark Code: WM16RYE
Location: Washington, United States
Date Posted: 09/28/2022
Views: 7
This Engineering Landmark plaque is located at the Snoqualmie Falls Upper Observation Deck area in Snoqualmie, Washington. The plaque honors the Snoqualmie Falls Cavity Generating Station, which was built in 1899 led by Civil Engineer Charles Baker.
The facility was the first successful underground hydroelectric station in the world. The power plant took water from the Snoqualmie Falls nearby to create electricity, powering an electric motor 153 miles away one of the first times long distance power transmission had been achieved. The plant operates to this day with two Power Houses, creating 53.9 MW after a renovation completed in 2013, powering 40,000 homes!
PLAQUE TEXT:
"NATIONAL HISTORIC
CIVIL ENGINEERING LANDMARK
AMERICAN
SOCIETY OF
CIVIL
ENGINEERS
1852
SNOQUALMIE FALLS CAVITY GENERATING STATION 1899
CIVIL ENGINEER CHARLES BAKER HARNESSED SNOQUALMIE FALLS IN 1898, SEEING
AN OPPORTUNITY IN THE 270-FOOT DROP TO USE THE ENERGY OF FALLING WATER
TO GENERATE ELECTRICITY. THE WORLD'S FIRST COMPLETELY UNDERGROUND
HYDROELECTRIC PLANT WAS BUILT IN SOLID ROCK, PROTECTING IT FROM THE
DAMP ATMOSPHERE; A SHAFT WITH PENSTOCK DIVERTS WATER FROM ABOVE TO
THE POWER PLANT AT THE BASE OF THE FALLS. THE PLANT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST
TO DELIVER ALTERNATING CURRENT (AC) POWER OVER A LONG DISTANCE,
DEMONSTRATING THE SUITABILITY OF THIS TECHNOLOGY.
DESIGNATED 1981 REDEDICATED 2018"
Location:
Snoqualmie Falls Upper Observation Deck
Type of structure/site: Hydroelectric station
Date of Construction: 1899
Engineer/Architect/Builder etc.: Charles Baker
Engineering Organization Listing: American Society of Civil Engineers
Primary Web Site: [Web Link]
Secondary Web Site: [Web Link]
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