Renewable hydroelectric power accounts for about 40 – 50%* of Cloverland Electric Cooperative’s power supply annually. The cooperative’s hydroelectric plant in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan, generates about 30%* of the hydroelectric power. An additional 20%* is generated from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hydro plant, located in the Soo Locks.
*Percentages fluctuate monthly.
While we appreciate the interest in the history and functionality of our hydroelectric plant, we do not offer tours. Cloverland is dedicated to its mission of providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to its members.
Hydroelectric Plant History (PDF) American Historic Building (PDF)Power Canal
Excavation of the hydro canal occurred from 1898 to 1902. It is lined with more than 10,000 white pine timbers native to the area to strengthen and stabilize its structure.
The canal’s entrance at the east end of Ashmun Bay is controlled by four steel head gates. The canal is approximately 2 1/4 miles in length from the head gates (intake) to the hydro plant. It is approximately 24 feet deep and 200 feet wide at water level.
Powerhouse
Construction of the landmark hydroelectric plant facility was completed in 1902. At that time, it was the second largest hydro facility next to Niagara Falls.
The hydro plant is constructed of steel and red sandstone excavated from the power canal. The plant is a quarter-mile long, 80 feet wide and has 74 horizontal shaft turbines located on the generation floor level. Each turbine has four runners (blades) that drive the 60-cycle generators. The water, which flows down the power canal, drops through gates in the turbines to make them spin, similar to a pinwheel in the wind. The turbine turns the generator rotor to create electricity.
Turning Water into Power: Output and Production
Under ideal operating conditions, the hydro plant is capable of producing about 36,000 kilowatts (36 megawatts). Power output depends on the volume of water traveling through the power canal and the plant’s operating head. The operating head is the difference in water levels at the plant’s forebay (upriver) and the tailrace (downriver) on the St. Marys River.
Water flow through the power canal is regulated by the International Joint Commission (IJC). The IJC’s International Lake Superior Board of Control is responsible for regulating water flow through the 20 foot drop between Lake Superior and Lake Huron through the St. Mary’s River system including the hydro plant at the Soo Locks, the Canadian hydro plant and Cloverland’s hydro plant. Cloverland pays a monthly fee to the IJC for the water allocation.
Plant production follows the swings of seasonal climate fluctuations and weather patterns. Power production has remained relatively steady over the decades notwithstanding the changes in water supply and flow restrictions.
Although percentages fluctuate monthly, renewable hydroelectric power accounts for about 40 – 50% of Cloverland’s power supply annually. The hydro plant generates about 30% of the hydroelectric power. An additional 20% is generated from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hydro plant located in the Soo Locks.
Architecture
Local architect, James Calloway Teague, designed the plant in 1899 to give the impression of power, importance and stability. The Romanesque design included three large pavilions and a double-pitched roof to counterbalance the length of the plant.
Powerful Facts
Cloverland’s maximum output is 36 megawatts and the plant average is 26-28 megawatts daily. By comparison, the Canadian plant in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, produces 45 megawatts, and the US Corps of Engineers plant at Soo Locks has a maximum output of 21 megawatts and averages 18 megawatts daily.- At peak operation, the plant discharges approximately 30,000 cubic feet of water per second (equivalent to about 13.5 million gallons per minute).
- The hydro plant consists of 74 three-phase generators. Each 60-cycle generator operates at 4400 volts, 180 RPM. Each turbine supplies enough power for roughly 250 average homes, assuming each uses around 3-4 kVA at peak demand
- With 20 feet of headwaters falling from the upper St. Marys River to the lower river, rated output of the turbines is 772 to 935 horsepower.
- Three manufacturers (no longer in existence) built the turbines. Many replacement parts are now machined in-house.
- Canal water velocity is seven to 10 feet per second, or five to seven miles per hour.
- Most of the heat needed for the building during the winter months is generated by the operating equipment.
- The plant increases electricity production when the demand for electricity is highest (8 a.m. to 9 p.m.) and reduces production at all other times during periods of insufficient water allocations.
- Some of the original wood bearings for the turbines are still in use today. The bearings were made from lignum vitae, a rare dense wood found in Central and South America. The natural oils in this wood make it an ideal solution for water lubricated bearings. It is superior to most other man-made materials for this purpose.
Behind the Scenes: Operations of a Living Legacy
Cloverland’s 123-year-old hydroelectric plant is one of the cooperatives’ most valuable assets, ensuring affordable and reliable energy for its members. Operating the hydro plant requires a team which includes a foreman, welder, machinist, two electricians, nine repairmen plus two summer helpers. Cloverland’s Plant Manager and Director of Generation oversee all activities of the plant.
In the winter months, the hydro team works inside the plant on generator and turbine maintenance and repairs. Summer months focus on maintaining and preserving exterior exposed hydro infrastructure such as the boom logs and headgates at the entrance to the power canal. The hydro team keeps the cooperative’s critical generation infrastructure operational for this lifetime and the energy needs of the next generation.
From 1992 to 2018, visitors to the area could tour the hydroelectric plant on Engineers Day (last Friday of June). However, during the construction of LSSU’s CFRE from 2019-2021 followed by the pandemic, Cloverland discontinued open houses. Due to heightened security around critical infrastructure facilities, the cooperative no longer allows public tours of the plant.
Lake Superior State University Center for Freshwater Research and Education (CFRE)
In 1977, the hydro plant developed a partnership with Lake Superior State University (LSSU) to provide space in the plant for an aquatics lab. The continual water flow provides an ideal environment for spawning fish since it mimics the natural conditions fish live in – water temperature fluctuations and food sources.
What started as an aquatics lab for LSSU later expanded to the Richard & Theresa Barch Center for Freshwater Research & Education (CFRE). In 2021, LSSU completed construction of a separate building located at the east side to the power plant that provides a facility for the research and community engagement side to grow. Cloverland has an interactive exhibit on hydroelectricity at the Dr. Constance Baker Great Lakes Discovery Center inside CFRE.
With the support of Cloverland Electric Cooperative and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the CFRE trains students studying natural resources and education, performs freshwater research, stocks fish in the St. Marys River and educates the community about the Great Lakes. The CFRE raises and releases approximately 25,000 Atlantic salmon into the St. Marys River each year.
LSSU students are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the CFRE and receive valuable hands-on experience in freshwater research, education, and fish culture. These LSSU graduates obtain jobs in fish and wildlife management, hatchery operations, ecology, and other environmental fields.
Given the unique location at the nexus of three Great Lakes, CFRE is well-positioned to play an important role in increasing scientific understanding and education of Great Lakes issues. LSSU and the State of Michigan invested in a separate building neighboring the hydro plant to increase capacity in freshwater education and science to ensure that the Great Lakes remain great.
Visit the Lake Superior State University website to learn more about CFRE.