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SAXAPAHAW HYDROELECTRIC DAM AND PLANT

HISTORY

The industrial revolution began in Lowell, Massachusetts, because of the availability of water power. The reason the Village of Saxapahaw and the mill exist is due to the location on the Haw River enabling the use of hydroelectric power.

The mill was organized and construction began in 1844 and was in full operation by 1849. At that time the mill was run by overshot wheel and line shaft. The textile mill had a tremendous economic impact on the inhabitants of the area, most of which were farmers raising cotton and other crops for their survival. The cotton was sent North for processing. The construction of the textile mill provided opportunities for employment, as well as a chance for the farmers to sell their cotton locally, thus providing the possibility of an increase in their standard of living.

Most of the mill and village houses were powered from the hydroelectric generation. As the mill grew, so did its demand for more power. Steam engines soon added power to the mill fueled by wood and coal. In 1938, a concrete dam was constructed and replaced the wooden dam upstream. After World War II began, a submarine engine and generator were added to power additional machinery in the mill. This engine was rumored to have come out of the submarine that General McArthur used to flee from the Philippines, taking all the gold and important papers from the American Embassy. Utility power came to the Village of Saxapahaw in 1964 and the hydroelectric operation was shut down.

Haw River Hydro Co. purchased the dam and hydroelectric facilities in 1980 and completed renovation of the equipment and electrical systems. Two years after the purchase, the facility once again began producing electricity, and a contract was signed with Duke Energy to buy and distribute the electricity. Haw River Hydro Co. has and continues to produce environmentally clean renewable energy on a continuous basis. This hydroelectric facility provides enough electricity for approximately 700 houses.

TIMELINE

1844
Mill Company organized and construction began on the mill and wooden dam.

1848
Mill starts production using overshot waterwheel and line shaft to power machinery.

1938
Seller’s Manufacturing constructs a concrete dam to provide hydroelectric power for the textile mill and mill houses.

1964
The hydroelectric plant is shut down and the textile mill and village is provided all of its power by Duke Power Co.

1980
Haw River Hydro Co. buys the hydro facilities at Saxapahaw, North Carolina, and begins renovation of the plant and equipment to once again produce hydroelectric power.

1982
Renovation is completed and Haw River Hydro Co. begins producing electricity. A 15-year contract is signed with Duke Energy to buy and distribute the electricity.