Taylors Falls in Chisago County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Saint Croix Falls Hydroelectric Project
"'Something is doing' that may be quite important."
This stretch of the river had high traprock banks and a dramatic drop, the perfect makings for a hydroelectric project. Completed in 1907, the dam is an early example of a concrete-arch gravity dam. This type of structure combines features of gravity and arch dams. Gravity dams use their own weight to retain water, while arch dams curve to direct forces outward. Arch dams were ideally suited for areas where thick rock walls could absorb the thrust of the water. The traprock ledge likely influenced the decision to use an arch in this location.
Efficiency typically governed the design of powerhouses. Most were simple box-like buildings with few architectural details. As one of the largest hydroelectric projects in the region, and because of its location in a popular scenic area, the station here featured arched window openings. The openings were later filled, but they continue to enhance the building's appearance. The plant had the capacity to develop 25,000 horsepower, although it only produced about 12,000 horsepower when it opened in I907. Today, it generates roughly 34,000 horsepower.
Several features were incorporated into the dam, which is about 750 feet long. A log spillway is at the western end and a fish ladder is on the east. The dam produced a head of about 56 feet. This was bolstered by a concrete dike to the west that helped raise the water level and protected Taylors Falls from flooding. The dam and dike also provided recreational benefits by pooling the water upstream. "This lake will increase immensely the attractiveness of the park region," noted one journalist. "Boat and club houses will be erected and it is expected that Taylors Falls will speedily become one of the most popular summer resorts in the west."
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 45° 25.055′ N, 92° 39.184′ W. Marker is in Taylors Falls, Minnesota, in Chisago County. Marker is on St Croix Trail (State Highway 95) 0.3 miles south of Mulberry Street (County Highway 34), on the left when traveling south. Marker is located in Taylor Falls Heritage Park, at the east end of the parking lot, close to the St Croix River overlook. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Taylors Falls MN 55084, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Where are the Falls? (approx. 0.3 miles away in Wisconsin); Gaylord Nelson (approx. 0.4 miles away in Wisconsin); River Spirit (approx. half a mile away in Wisconsin); Thompson–Boughton Mill (approx. half a mile away in Wisconsin); Where Are The Falls of the St. Croix? (approx. half a mile away in Wisconsin); St. Croix Falls Lions Park (approx. 0.8 miles away in Wisconsin); The Battle of St. Croix Falls (approx. 0.8 miles away in Wisconsin); Chisago Hotel (approx. 1.1 miles away).
More about this marker. Marker is a large composite plaque, mounted horizontally on waist-high posts.
Also see . . .
1. Saint Croix Falls Dam. Once the logging era was nearly played out, Northern States Power gained rights to the falls. They constructed the concrete arched dam that we see today. It has a 675 foot long arched dam 59 feet tall, one wide gate that serves both as a log sluice and overflow gate, a power plant that is 291 feet wide, and a secondary dike on the Minnesota side that is 785 feet long. The dam went on-line in 1907. It produces 25-megawatts of electrical power. Funds from selling the power is used to offset local property taxes. (Submitted on July 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. St. Croix Falls Hydro Generating Station. The St. Croix Falls Hydro partial peaking plant is the only existing dam on the St. Croix River. The plant was built to provide electricity for the Twin Cities. Construction involved hundreds of laborers who worked day and night shifts seven days a week. For two years, blasting shook buildings and shattered windows in St. Croix Falls and in Taylors Falls, MN just across the river. The spillway provides a scenic view from overlooks on both the Minnesota and Wisconsin sides of the river. A feature that separates the St. Croix Falls plant from other hydroelectric units is its "S" shaped spillway. The spillway was constructed as a curve to increase its crest area, since the river at that spot forms a gorge through which passes a large volume of water. (Submitted on July 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 647 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.