Utility Commission - March 12, 2007
Contact: David Saunders, 727-8418
The Utility Commission of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County today agreed to amend its project at the Idol’s Dam water intake to leave standing what’s left of a historically significant power plant and allow a portion to be rebuilt in the future.
Idol’s Dam was originally built at the end of the 19th century to provide water for a hydroelectric plant built by Henry Fries with backing by electric pioneer Thomas Edison. It was the first generating plant in the state to use long-distance transmission lines.
In 1998, a fire destroyed the generator shed built out over the river and gutted the brick utility building that housed the transformers and other equipment.
Over the years, silt has clogged the riverbed under the brick pier that supported the generator shed, interfering with the water intake the commission operates at the site for Neilsen and Thomas water plants. To improve the water flow, the commission originally proposed to remove the utility building and install a new pier with gates that would regulate the amount of water over the intake pipe.
Today the commission agreed to leave intact the utility building and to amend its plans for the new pier to give the preservation advocates the option of rebuilding a portion of the generator shed and the original brick pier.
Utilities officials estimated that the new approach would add at least $125,000 to the project’s $2.65 million budget. The money would come from a contingency fund set aside for the project, said Utilities Director David Saunders. Local preservation advocates will have to raise the money to preserve the utility building, rebuild the generator shed, and make other improvements to the site to preserve its historical significance.
"This is the best of both worlds," Saunders said. "It allows us to build what we need to ensure we have a reliable amount of water over the intake, and it gives the historic preservation community the opportunity to save a site that played an important role in the development of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County."