September 2013
My family and I have been driving over the Conowingo Dam coming and going from my uncle's house for many years. I never knew too much about it. While at the Havre de Grace seafood festival, we signed a petition in support of the relicensing of the dam. As a result, we were notified about an open house and tour being held down there. It was a fun day and the tour was extremely interesting. I'd never been inside a hydroelectric plant before and knew very little about the history or workings of the Conowingo plant.
Crossing the Delaware Memorial Bridge on the way to Maryland
Susquehanna River Road leads to the Conowingo Dam
Crossing the Conowingo Dam
Note the large gantry crane on top of the Conowingo Dam. It's used for opening the flood gates.
The Conowingo Hydro Electric Plant sign is lit in neon at night
Driving over the power house at the Conowingo Hydro Electric Plant
Entering the plant
Conowingo attracts many birds
Conowingo Hydro Electric Plant as seen from Fisherman's Park
Exterior of the power house
Inside the turbine hall
The 2 station service units are used to power the plant operations and can be used to "black start" the power grid
The 2 station service units are used to power the plant operations and can be used to "black start" the power grid
The 2 station service units are used to power the plant operations and can be used to "black start" the power grid
Looking out over the turbines inside Conowingo Hydro Electric Plant
Turbine 5 was the only one in operation the day we were there
Looking out over the turbines inside Conowingo Hydro Electric Plant
Cranes play a big part in operating the plant
The fact that the vintage equipment has been maintained and is still in operation is impressive
Turbine 6
This tank is dated 1928 and is part of the pressure system for the governors
This tank is dated 1928 and is part of the pressure system for the governors
I love seeing the old equipment and controls. New equipment just doesn't have the same look.
Turbine 8
The newest turbines are outside
Transformers and power distribution equipment
Vintage Westinghouse tag
Looking down the Susquehanna River from the Conowingo Power Plant
Looking down the Susquehanna River from the Conowingo Power Plant
I'm not a bird expert, but I'm going to say this is a hawk
I'm not a bird expert, but I'm going to say this is a hawk
Looking across the dam from the power house
Looking across the dam from the power house
The rocks below the dam attract all varieties of birds
Looking up to the power distribution equipment
The Conowingo Hydro Electric Plant sign is lit in neon at night
The gantry cranes on top of the Conowingo Dam are used for opening the flood gates.
The rocks below the dam attract all varieties of birds
Looking down the Susquehanna River from the Conowingo Power Plant
Looking down the Susquehanna River from the Conowingo Power Plant
The rocks below the dam attract all varieties of birds
This was the only bald eagle we saw
This was the only bald eagle we saw
Food tents were set up on the banks of the river. You can't beat free lunch!
The east fish lift is used to allow migratory and native fish to swim upstream past the dam
My mother in her personal protective equipment
Looking up to the power distribution equipment and the iconic neon sign
Inside Conowingo Power Plant in the area around turbine 4
The controls for the massive butterfly valves look like they belong in a museum. It's very cool to know that they still are used.
The controls for the massive butterfly valves look like they belong in a museum. It's very cool to know that they still are used.
Looking inside a turbine that has been retrofitted with modern environmental equipment
Looking inside a turbine that has not been retrofitted
Looking up into a turbine
The controls for the massive butterfly valves look like they belong in a museum. It's very cool to know that they still are used.
Water is discharged after passing through the turbine and generating power
The east fish lift is used to allow migratory and native fish to swim upstream past the dam
Looking down the Susquehanna River from Fisherman's Park
The discharge from the the power plant attracts fish
Looking at the entire dam from Fisherman's Park
The east fish lift is used to allow migratory and native fish to swim upstream past the dam
We couldn't have asked for better weather for visiting the dam
Conowingo Dam creates a great place to fish
Looking down the Susquehanna River from Fisherman's Park
Conowingo Hydro Electric Power Plant as seen from Fisherman's Park
Conowingo Hydro Electric Power Plant power house as seen from Fisherman's Park