Historical Marker · No. 341
Minidoka Dam
Minidoka County · Idaho
The power came sooner than the sign's 1913. The first generator at the dam went into service in 1909, pumping water with its own electricity, which made it the first federal hydroelectric plant in the Pacific Northwest; two more units followed in 1910 and two in 1911. Spare power went to farms and towns, and in Rupert the high school became the first public building in the country run entirely on electricity. The reservoir is named for Charles D. Walcott, director of the Geological Survey. Dam and plant are on the National Register.
What the plaque says
Minidoka Dam An important pioneer federal reclamation dam and power plant provides water and electricity for farms and cities nearby. Constructed 5 miles east of here between 1904 and 1906 at a cost of $675,000, Minidoka Dam diverts water into canals 86 feet above Snake River. In order to reach still higher farms south of Burley, a $413,000 power plant was completed in 1913. Local irrigation districts have repaid costs of this project. This early federal power program led to national Rural Electrification Administration services. 341 Text prepared by the Idaho Historical Society Marker made & installed by Idaho Transportation Department
Where it stands
42.67421, -113.59262 · Directions
More markers nearby
- Camp Rupert 1943-1946 — 16 mi
- Starrh's Ferry — 16 mi
- Albion State Normal School — 18 mi
- Diamondfield Jack — 18 mi