Fourth St Power Dam

03/14/2026

The Fourth St Power Dam looking west from Canal St, east side water power canal, circa 1870s.

Very easy to see the wood crib construction of the original dam in this location, 1866–1915/1926, prior to being constructed of concrete in 1915 (West) and 1926 (East Side).

A couple of men on the levee look like they may have peaveys in their hands.

09/30/2024

https://www.tiki-toki.com/timeline/entry/425380/Grand-River-at-The-Rapids/ !date=1856-03-04_02:10:0

09/04/2024

Grand Rapids Water Power Company (East Side) operated from 1836–1927. West Side Water Power Company operated for 100 years from 1866 to the late–1960s. Grand Rapids Electric Light & Power Company established March 20, 1880, took a portion of the Grand Rivers’ 2,500 HP to operate the world’s first hydroelectric power plant in July 1880. In 1910 the two water power companies considered joining forces converting the full run-of-river to hydroelectricity and begin placing electric motors at every workstation. https://www.restless-viking.com/2024/08/27/a-7000-pound-grand-river-discovery/?fbclid=IwY2xjawE8tdZleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHYfkRRLiBOiSH6UHIQcGTDDioku1LdaQshihc4d46PGBBiIpAD04ETtrMQ_aem_sOEKgqA-0cjnvxUjhhRzXg

A 7,000 Pound Grand River Discovery – Who created the world's first commercial electric power? It happened in Grand Rapids, Michigan!

08/27/2024

Wow I am impressed at what Restless Viking has put together with my research and the research of Grand Rapids Public Museum. Well done! https://www.restless-viking.com/2024/08/27/a-7000-pound-grand-river-discovery/?fbclid=IwY2xjawE657pleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHZJR2jvrv8Vkcx-IFtq0Sp5EMi5Jy2zMOJz-d80SvO_5D-lvKSxFzlNd3A_aem_qa56BQGaaZvQ49DxibBgtA

A 7,000 Pound Grand River Discovery – Who created the world's first commercial electric power? It happened in Grand Rapids, Michigan!

08/22/2024

This might give a better idea of what you're looking at ... The perspective is a little off.

08/21/2024

A little more William T. Powers family history dug up on the site of GRPM.

A couple of white porcelain insulators found while excavating the south lawn of Grand Rapids Public Museum. The is the site of the world’s first hydroelectric power plant.

These insulators date to between 1880 and 1917. Possibly used in William T. Powers Grand Rapids Electric Light & Power company offices and hydroelectric power plant. They did not just supply electricity but apparatus for every sort of lighting need. As early as 1882 they produced their own incandescent lighting system for local businesses.

Marked U.P.W. and an eagle head with something in its beak stands for Union Porcelain Works.

03/25/2024

What’s left of the West Side Water Power Canal levee dock line wall circa 1901.

03/14/2024

I have researched the river for decades ... There are plenty of boulders still in the river ... it wasn't scalped as much as you think ... use what's already there. You must also remember the rapids are perched on a limestone shelf nearly 1 mile long.

https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2024/03/push-to-restore-grand-rivers-rapids-isnt-dead-despite-setback.html?fbclid=IwAR0-QcKt2EOGuEhiDH6pgaDJgJGDJHBpNvAmnLl22VaPVxuYo5PIeuz8hdM

Grand Rapids Whitewater hopes to submit for a permit by this summer, after the project was scaled back following state and federal opposition to creating whitewater rapids in the river.

03/14/2024

Grand Rapids Whitewater hopes to submit for a permit by this summer, after the project was scaled back following state and federal opposition to creating whitewater rapids in the river.

03/12/2024

Two Canals ran through GR ... https://www.facebook.com/GrandRapidsHydroelectricPower

Timeline of West Side Water Power Canal and Grand Rapids Electric Light & Power Company's Hydroelect

03/12/2024