Independence in Inyo County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Hydroelectric Power From Bishop Creek
Photographed By Patrick Duggan
1. Hydroelectric Power From Bishop Creek Marker
Inscription.
Hydroelectric Power From Bishop Creek. . Between 1905 and 1913, the Nevada-California Power Company, a predecessor of the Southern California Edison Company, built a chain of five hydroelectric power plants along Bishop Creek. Water flowed from one power plant to the next through 60-inch diameter redwood-stave pipe called “flowlines”. Redwood was used because of its rot-resistant qualities and the flowlines usually lasted between 30 and 40 years before replacement was necessary. After the late 1950’s, most replacements have been with steel pipe. This section came from the Bishop Plant 5 redwood flowline which was replaced by steel in 1993 by Southern California Edison and is displayed here to show the technique of wooden pipe technology that was widely used in western mining and power developments in the nineteenth century.
Between 1905 and 1913, the Nevada-California Power Company, a predecessor of the Southern California Edison Company, built a chain of five hydroelectric power plants along Bishop Creek. Water flowed from one power plant to the next through 60-inch diameter redwood-stave pipe called “flowlines”. Redwood was used because of its rot-resistant qualities and the flowlines usually lasted between 30 and 40 years before replacement was necessary. After the late 1950’s, most replacements have been with steel pipe. This section came from the Bishop Plant 5 redwood flowline which was replaced by steel in 1993 by Southern California Edison and is displayed here to show the technique of wooden pipe technology that was widely used in western mining and power developments in the nineteenth century.
Erected by Southern California Edison Company.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features. A significant historical year for this entry is 1905.
Location. 36° 48.119′ N, 118° 12.237′ W. Marker is in Independence, California, in Inyo County. Marker can be reached from North Grant Street. On the grounds of the Eastern California Museum. Note that the geolocation provided is for the museum and not the pipeline itself.
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Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 155 N Grant Street, Independence CA 93526, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2024, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. This page has been viewed 56 times since then. Photos:1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2024, by Patrick Duggan of Los Angeles, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
