Near Pick City in Mercer County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Powerhouse

Photographed by Connor Olson, July 25, 2021

1. Powerhouse Marker

Inscription. Hydroelectric power is produced through generating units in the Powerhouse. The generators produce electricity at 13,800 volts which is stepped up to 115,000 and 230,000 volts for transmission. The rotors on units 1, 2, and 3 are 35 feet in diameter and weigh 517.5 tons. During generator operation, the outside edge of the rotor travels at a speed of about 113 miles per hour.

Generator No. 1 went into hydroelectric power production Saturday, January 21, 1956 when Governor Norman Brunsdale pushed the starting button. Generator No. 2 went into production in February and No. 3 later that year. At that time, generators No. 4 and No. 5 were not complete, but room was left in the powerhouse for their construction.

On an average year the generating units have a combined annual output of 2,600,000 megawatt hours of electricity. Electrical power is transmitted from the project through seven transmission lines to various substations and is marketed by Western Area Power Administration at the Watertown Dispatch Center in South Dakota.

The five pair of cylindrical surge tanks act as a shock absorber for water flowing through the penstocks. The water level in each surge tank is approximately the same elevation as the lake. Each tank is 136 feet tall, 65 feet in diameter and has a capacity of 3.4 million gallons of water.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is January 21, 1956.

Location. 47° 30.273′ N, 101° 26.059′ W. Marker is near Pick City, North Dakota, in Mercer County. It is on North Dakota Route 200 east of Park Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hazen ND 58545, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Dakota’s Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation,

and on the Missouri Plateau.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Garrison Dam (here, next to this marker); Intake Structure (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Garrison Dam Overlook (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara

Powerhouse Marker can be seen to the left image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Connor Olson, July 25, 2021

2. Powerhouse Marker can be seen to the left

(approx. 2.1 miles away); Displaced Communities (approx. 2.1 miles away); Growing out of the wheat fields and many have since returned. (approx. 2.2 miles away); Taming the mighty Missouri by building the world's largest rolled earth dam of its time. (approx. 2.2 miles away); The Spillway Bridge is often believed to be "the dam", (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pick City.

Photographed by Connor Olson, July 25, 2021

3. Powerhouse Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 231 times since then and 7 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 26, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.