Hydro Plant

Construction

Constructed by the Homestake Mining Company to provide power for the mine site in Lead, South Dakota and power for the Homestake Sawmill in Spearfish, South Dakota, which provided timber for various mining methods.

Hydro System Purchase

The Spearfish Hydro system was purchased by the City of Spearfish in 2004 from Homestake Mining Company to maintain water flow through the city and downstream users.

Diversion Tunnel

The diversion tunnel from the Maurice intake to Forbay totals 5 miles in length. Mining was completed in one year with 14 headings working towards each other without any errors in elevations or horizontal mismatch. It is constructed of five-foot high concrete side walls and a poured floor. The roof consists of either poured concrete, arched concrete blocks, or nature arched rock.

Stand Pipes

The Stand Pipes are located on a ridge south of Spearfish, above the mouth of Spearfish Canyon. The Stand Pipes reduce the water shock within the pipelines feeding the plant, as the water flows change, the height of the Stand Pipes change.

Photo Gallery

Review a gallery of photos from the Hydro Plant.