Faraday Powerhouse
Faraday Powerhouse, originally called “Cazadero Powerhouse,” constructed in the early 1900s, was the first hydroelectric powerhouse along the Clackamas River. Located just outside of Estacada, Oregon, it would be the first of many hydroelectric power plants along the Clackamas River. It generated electricity for over 100 years before being replaced by a new powerhouse in 2023 which was built with the intent of providing another 100 years of hydroelectric power.
1907 – Present
Harnessing the Clackamas
Visual Timeline
The “New” Faraday Powerhouse
Oral History
Faraday Powerhouse in Video
PGE employees and retirees shared stories of the historic Faraday Powerhouse as the company prepared to remove the original powerhouse in 2018 and replace the 111-year-old hydro facility on the Clackamas River. As part of mitigation associated with the replacement of the historic Faraday Powerhouse and to preserve its history, PGE developed this short film in 2019 to showcase the significance of Faraday through the stories of people who operated it over the decades.
PGE Faraday Powerhouse
The Powerhouse of Many Names
In the early 1900s, people called the first power plant on the Clackamas River, "Cazadero." This was the name used by the Oregon Water Power and Railway Company (OWP) and local newspapers. When a different company called Portland Railway Light and Power (PRLP) took over, they renamed it "Station G." This fit with their way of naming power plants, similar to how they called another plant "Station B" at Willamette Falls.
The Future of Faraday Powerhouse
A new power plant was built in almost the same spot as the old Faraday Powerhouse. This new plant has two brand-new units that can make an additional 18 megawatts of electricity. Unit No. 6 from the old plant remained mostly the same and continues to operate today. The Faraday Powerhouse was very important 100 years ago when Oregon was first getting electricity. Today, it's just as important because it helps Oregon continue the transition to clean energy.
Additional Resources:
History of Faraday
History of PGE
Electrifying Oregon
Powering Progress
A Thoughtful Transition
History of PGE
Electrifying Oregon
Powering Progress
A Thoughtful Transition
Location
34000 E. Faraday Road
T3S-R4E-S33
Lat. 45.268095, Long. -122.320104
Estacada, Clackamas County, Oregon, 97023
Landowner & Powerhouse Operator
Portland General Electric (PGE), Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project (FERC No. 2195)
Faraday was designed to hold five generators in anticipation of future power needs. Only three generation units were installed initially. Water was diverted on the main channel of the Clackamas by the Cazadero Dam, a log-crib structure (replaced in 1966) built 1.5 miles upstream from the powerhouse to Faraday Lake, a mile-long reservoir.
There was a trolley stop and small community of houses named Faraday that were near the power plant. Over time, people started calling the power plant "Faraday" too. This began happening in the 1930s, but the name "Faraday" didn't completely replace "Station G" until the 1950s.
No matter what name it had, this power plant worked for more than 110 years. Its important history will live on as part of the new rebuilt power plant.
(Oregon Encyclopedia)
Faraday Dam and Powerhouse
(Oregon Encyclopedia)
Clackamas Hydroelectric Project
State Level Documentation
Faraday Powerhouse
Portland was growing fast in 1905 when the city hosted the Lewis & Clark Exposition. Many new people and businesses moved to Portland because of this fair and its emphasis on electrification. The Faraday Hydroelectric Project on the Clackamas River was built during this exciting time. Electric power was very important for Portland's growth. It provided electric lighting to Portland homes and businesses and helped factories run machines. But one of the coolest things it did was power the trolley system!
These electric trolleys were like early trains that connected small towns along the Clackamas River to Portland. Because of these trolleys and the new electricity for businesses, the city of Estacada was created. The electricity also helped farms and factories grow in the upper Clackamas River valley.
