Canal: (
John A. Weeks III;
Satellite)
These notes have the labels of energyHydro and powerhouse because the dams were originally mill dams and later they were replaced by hydropower dams. The
USACE #15 Lock and Dam was evidently not needed to help create a head for these dams. The limestone bedrock is at the surface here and the USACE dam was needed to cover the rapids and cascades that existed between Iowa and Rock Island. Although the head for the 1942 dams may have been higher because of the USACE dam.
The first power dam was built between 1869 and 1871. It started on the south bank of Sylvan Slough on the river bank at Moline, ran along the east shore of Sylvan Island, then crossed the channel of Sylvan Slough to connect with Arsenal Island. Water was drawn in from the Sylvan Slough channel, and exited a 2,100 foot long tailrace canal that was built as part of the 1871 project.
In 1898 and 1899, the 1871 project was removed and a new power plant was built at its current location at the east end of the tailrace canal. This new dam and powerhouse did not cross Sylvan Slough. Rather, a second dam and powerhouse for the Rock Island Arsenal was built across Sylvan Slough to support the US Army factories.
The 1899 power plant was again removed and rebuilt in 1941 and 1942. Those buildings exist today, and are still in use generating hydro power for the Quad Cities area. The generators have been upgraded several times, however, so the plant produces vastly more power today than when it opened in 1942.
The canal itself was cut from limestone, and the bottom is bedrock, which happens to be very near the surface in that area. This shallow bedrock is the reason for the rapids and cascades existing in the Quad Cities area.
The tailrace canal would have been built to bring the lower level of the west end of the Sylvan Slough peninsula further east to the base of the powerhouse to increase the head at the powerhouse.
Matt Pyle
posted 13 images with the comment:
For this installment of Turbine Topics, we travel back to America and the mighty Mississippi river, and to the home of the Rock Island power plant. Located in Rock Island Illinois, the roughly 125-year-old facility generates power by utilizing the waters of the Mississippi river. The first industrial utilization of the river in this area first appears in 1872. A dam was constructed spanning the river from the west shore of rock island and connected to the east shore of Sylvan Island. This powerhouse contained 4-65’’ turbines and through a system of cables and 5 towers transferred the mechanical force inland to the rock island arsenal. The arsenal, a manufacturing facility for military munitions operated tooling and equipment from a line-shaft powered by the turbine driven cables. This short-lived telo-dynamic system was short lived and was eventually shuttered and demolished in 1899 due to fire after a respectable 27 years of service.
Example of a telo-dynamic rope drive system📷
In 1899 a new powerhouse and dam was constructed, this time spanning from the south side of Rock Island to the Illinois shore. This dam, constructed of stone, impounded the water to a head of 7.5-11’ depending on the conditions. What this area lacked in head water it more than made up for in volume. The newly constructed powerhouse had provisions for 41 turbines, of which only 8 were initially utilized. The original turbines only created a meager 250 hp but met the needs of the arsenal at the time. Expansion finally occurred at the facility as electrical needs grew. The number of generators was doubled from one to two, doubling the capacity of the facility. The original wheels were replaced by an elaborate new setup built by Leffel. The newly installed 50’’ Samson-Leffel turbines were utilized in groups of seven. Each turbine shared a common shaft powering a single generator, transferring the power to the horizontal shaft via beveled gearing. Located at the opposing end of the shaft was a smaller DC generator to provide excitation. Each unit was capable of producing 550kw of 3 phase ac power at 600v. The multiple turbines working together helped to ensure reliable power as the military manufacturing facility continued to expand and grow
Powerhouse print. Prior to future expansions📷
500kw generators 1 & 2 (7 turbines per unit)📷
But there was no time to rest at Rock Island. Shortly after the expansion of the facility it was expanded in 1903 with the addition of 3rd and final horizontal shaft unit. This unit utilized 6 turbines, the generator was of a new larger variety capable of producing 650 kw and bringing the station total to 1.65 mw and 2,500 hp. The final expansion of the facility occurred in 1919 and introduced the addition of vertical shaft generators of a more recognizable configuration. A total of 8 Westinghouse 2400v generators were installed in the new powerhouse. Each generator was driven independently by a Francis type turbine.
1919 expansion and addition of 8 additional generators📷
Today this facility is still active and online. The Rock Island Powerhouse supplies 20% of the needed power for the US army installation. The Arsenal garrison still assembles gun mounts, recoil mechanisms, artillery carriages, and misc. combat equipment on the island.
Closing thoughts:
The history of rock island turned out to be an expansive endeavor. So much history and innovation in the hydro field can be seen in action even to this day at this site. Unfortunately, there is never enough time in the day to truly capture the full history of this location and the side topics of grist mills, canals, and locks operated by the Army core of engineers had to be omitted. But if you are in the area I am sure the site is more than worth a visit and your time.
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Moline Power
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Nathan Holth
[The bridge in the foreground is made with iron. As Nathan explained, it would have been quite common in the mid 1800s, but it is now a very rare historic bridge in the Midwest.] |
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