Deep Inside the Upriver Dam
Details
We will be touring the bowels of the Upriver Dam.
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Much of what you will see and be photographing
will be over a 110 years old.
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http://www.spokesman.com/video/2010/sep/27/pumphouse-remodel/
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BEING PREPARED
Wear you grubbies as I am told the equipment shows its age, is well greased and will leave you with reminders of your visit. Also, lighting will be limited. Bring a flashlight, tripod or monopod. Flash photography may be problematic. We don’t want a bunch of blind photographers stumbling around 5850 kilowatts generators. I’m thinking it will be cold as well so you might want to bring a well-insulated jacket. This will be a guided tour by one of the Dam Operators, who I’m sure is well versed in what not to touch or fall into.
TIME: 9:00 - 11:00
COST : FREE
PLEASE BE KIND AND UPDATE YOUR ATTENDANCE
The group size is limited to 25 for this tour. At times you may be broken up into groups of 10. Sign up and get your spot. If your ability to attend changes, please update your attendance so others can take your spot.
http://photos3.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/d/4/d/c/event_111774492.jpegA LITTLE HISTORY
1894 began construction of Upriver Dam and Pumping Station. Eventually, the waterworks would have 13 hydraulic pumps, an improved dam, canal, steel flumes and draft tubes to allow hydraulic turbines to power the original pumps. Beginning in 1910, electrically powered pumps were installed at Upriver Dam. This increased the pumping capacity to nearly 30 million gallons a day.
By 1933, the original pumps at Upriver were becoming damaged, worn and in need of replacement. Construction began on a new concrete dam and 3900 KW powerhouse. Improved in the 1980s and still in use today the Upriver Dam generates over 70 million kilowatts of electricity annually.
Currently the water system has 7 well sites, 25 booster stations in 23 different pressure zones, over 1,000 miles of water mains, 32 active water storage facilities with more than 106 million gallons of storage.
http://www.spokanewater.org/?page_id=21
ADDRESS
2701 N. Waterworks Avenue, Spokane, WA
NOTE, This address does not show up properly in Google. Please refer to the link below.
DIRECTIONS
http://g.co/maps/gmt6h