|
 The Canal
Excavation of the canal began in September 1898 and was completed in June 1902. The
length of the canal from the headgates (intake) to the power house is approximately 11,850
feet (2 1/4 miles). The canal varies in width from 200 to 220 feet at water
level and is approximately 24 feet in depth. The water velocity varies in speed
for assorted reasons. At times the water does move at speeds up to 7 mph. The entrance to the
canal, which is located at the eastern end of Ashmun Bay, is controlled by four steel
headgates. The upper quarter of the canal was excavated in rock, with the balance of the
canal dug into the earth with timber lining. The canal is designed to use 30,000 cubic
feet of water per second.
 The
Powerhouse
The construction of the Edison Sault Electric Hydroelectric Plant, a historic landmark
in Sault Ste. Marie, began in March 1900 and was completed in 1902. Official opening of
the plant was held on October 25, 1902. At the time of completion, the plant was second
only to Niagara Falls in terms of hydro development. The facility is constructed of stone
and steel. Much of the stone that was used was excavated from the power canal during its
construction. Additional stone was used on other local landmarks scattered throughout the
City of Sault Ste. Marie.
The powerhouse is 1,340 feet long (1/4 mile) and 80 feet wide. There are 74 horizontal
turbines located on the generation floor. Of the 74 turbines, 41 were installed in
1902 and the other 33 were installed in 1915-16. Each turbine has four runners, or blades, which
drive the 60-cycle generators that produce the power that is eventually used in
homes and businesses throughout Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula.
Under the most favorable operating conditions, the net plant capability is about 36,000
kilowatts. The plant power output is dependent upon the volume of water that is available
through the power canal and the plant operating head. Plant operating head is the difference in water
levels at the plant's forebay (south side) and the tailrace on the St. Marys River side of
the facility. The average effective head at the plant is about 18.4 feet and is
equivalent to the drop in elevation between Lake Superior and the lower Great
Lakes.
At peak operation, the plant discharges approximately 30,000 cubic feet of water per second, which is
equivalent to about 13 ½ million gallons per minute.
How it Works
By definition, hydroelectric means the generating of electricity by conversion of the
energy of running water.
The water, which flows down the power canal, drops through the openings in the
turbines to make them spin similar to a child's pinwheel in the wind. The turbine turns the
rotor, which is the last moving part in the sequence of events. Its turning causes
electricity to flow out of the wires in the stator.
It is a fact that when a magnet is moved in the vicinity of a wire (typically
copper), electricity flows along the wire. When the magnet moves, the "lines of
force" that surround the magnet cut across the wire, inducing a flow of free
electrons in the wire. Flowing electrons are electricity.
 Modern Operations
Edison Sault Electric Company purchased the hydro plant and canal in 1963 from the
Union Carbide Company for $1.5 million. An additional $1.0 million was spent to convert
the plant from 25-cycle electricity to 60-cycle electricity. In 1992, the Company
completed an $8.0 million modernization and automation project in the plant which enhanced
the safety and efficiency of the plant for years to come.
Over
the last five years, Edison Sault Electric has been allocated, on
average, 17,400 cubic feet per second to operate the hydro plant. This
allowed the plant to operate at approximately 58% of its designed capacity.
Total plant generation accounted for approximately 1/5 of the total power
requirements for the combined Edison Sault and Cloverland Electric systems.
Edison Sault has a contract in place with the Secretary of the Army at least
until the year 2025, and possibly as long as the year 2040, for use of the
water that runs through the plant. The plant may very well be expected to be
operational
until then.
| 
