The power of water

MARSEILLES — A new construction project will begin this summer in Marseilles.

By December 2013, a new 10.26-megawatt hydroelectric power plant will be constructed on the Illinois River in Marseilles.

Over the course of the 21-month project, approximately $12.5 million will be expended for local services, including engineering and surveying, materials testing, on-site construction management and labor and locally procured materials, such as concrete, steel, lumber, road gravel, paving and other supplies, according to Marseilles Land and Water Company President Lee Mueller.

Once completed, the new plant will employ at least four full-time, on-site staff members and possibly four or more part-time workers as well.

William D. Boyce, Mueller's grandfather and founder of the Boy Scouts of America, constructed the first hydroelectric power plant in Marseilles in 1907. His plant ceased operation in the late 1920s, however.

Another plant, built in 1911 at the end of the North Headrace by the Northern Illinois Light and Traction Company, owned and operated by Illinois Power Company, continued to operate until it closed in 1988.

The 1911 building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.

In November 2003, North American Hydro received a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license that "entitled them to rehabilitate the antique hydro-plant in Marseilles and operate a less-than-5-megawatt project," Mueller said.

In 2005, MLWC was issued a preliminary permit by FERC, Mueller explained, to study the feasibility of developing a second hydroelectric plant using the balance of the water available. NAH's FERC license was for only half of the water power available in the North Headrace.

"When we learned through a public notice that they were losing their license, we adjusted our plans," Mueller said. "Instead of a 6-megawatt project, we altered plans and sought the entire water power because it would be available."

On Dec. 15, 2011, MLWC was granted a license to construct, operate and maintain the proposed Marseilles Lock and Dam Hydroelectric Project, a 10.26-megawatt project, by FERC, Mueller said. 

The new "state-of-the-art" plant will be in the same location as Boyce's original 1907 plant. It will be approximately 136 feet by 76 feet by 60 feet and will have four Kaplan, S-type, double-regulated turbines each with an output of 2.563 megawatts, totaling 10.26 megawatts.

MLWC will also refurbish the civil structures at the North Headrace as well as constructing a new intake diversion structure at the new power house. A two-acre wetlands preserve will be constructed in the South Headrace.

In addition to the money that will be spent on local services throughout the project construction and the employment opportunities that will stem from the new power plant, Mueller noted some long term contributions to local property taxes as well as Illinois State business income taxes.

The city of Marseilles is looking forward to the upcoming project.

"We are looking forward to something positive happening in the community soon," Marseilles Mayor Patricia Smith said. "We are looking forward to progress."