Photos from abandoned 1901 hydroelectric power plant
Jay Lake sez, "Yesterday I visited an abandoned 1901 hydroelectric plant down in the bottom of a canyon in the Oregon highlands east of Mount Hood. The photo series might be of interest to Boing Boing readers, especially those interested in lost technology, abandoned places, anacrotech and Big Engineering." White River Falls Power Plant (Thanks, Jay!)
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I found this place randomly with a friend on the way back from a rafting trip in 2001.
It was so cool - good see some more info about it after so long.
I've got some of the blades from the turbine in my living room, and some great photos from the day.
I remember I nearly got bitten by a snake whilst bouncing around on the machinery in bare feet (stupid).
Its a nice spot for a swim out the front too.
Ah. Memriez.
it appears to be a series of tubes
Old Pinawa Dam looks more interesting.
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=old+pinawa+dam&m=&s=int
http://www.flickr.com/photos/27676736@N02/2582298942/ or http://flickr.com/search/?q=leach%20mansion
A south florida indian burial ground turned into a mansion turned into a college school campus to be remodeled to a community center/historic landmark come Jan 09.
Benjaming: You stole blades off the turbine!?! *FACEPALM*
People work very hard to obtain these old turbines and return them to service. Do you realize what it costs to create one? Even a little bitty Loeffel with a arbor vitae seat costs thousands of bucks, and there are damn few people left in the world who can make them.
The old hydro plants closed down because cheap diesel killed their economic viability. The time is right to re-open them, especially ones like this where the environmental damage is already done and the local flora and fauna have adapted to the presence of the impoundment.
That hydro plant could be returned to working order. If I owned the property (fat chance, sadly) I'd have it up and running clean in 2 to 5 years. I'd have to make the missing turbine blades from scratch, though, which could easily take months. They typically have subtly complex curves which are very difficult to model.
If I sound upset it's because I am. What a terrible waste it is to have that plant sit idle...
--Charlie
For anyone who's in the area, the old Roswell Mill ruins just north of Atlanta is similar (though not as well preserved). The main parts of the hydroelectric generator are still intact, as well as the dam itself. Very photogenic.
Hey! I discovered this place too, the same way: on the way back from river rafting. Very cool. I seem to remember a cool waterfall nearby. Some Oregonian villain should use this as his or her next hideout.
Thanks for the pics.
I used to swim here all the time in High School.
I grew up in oregon and have pictures of this place from about 15 years ago... interesting to see how it's decayed over there years...gonna have to go dig up those negatives!