Willamette Falls

Willamette Falls: the birthplace of an electric Oregon & PGE

Although Willamette Falls is a small generation plant, compared to other hydroelectric plants, it is the foundation of an electrified Oregon and the birthplace of our company. It remains operational today and neighbors a significant historic paper mill located on our property since the 19th century.

1860s - 1930s

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Willamette Falls Powerhouse (Station A)

Portland General Electric (PGE) Formed

Willamette Falls Electric Company purchased by the newly formed Portland General Electric. In 1892, Portland General Electric was formed when the Willamette Falls Electric Company and the Willamette Transportation and Locks Company merged. In 1894, PGE had a small office located in downtown Portland, which would later be replaced by the “Electric Building” in 1909.

T.W. Sullivan Powerhouse (Station B)

Constructed in 1895, Station B was built on the west side of the river after multiple years of flood damage had taken place at Station A. Station B was renamed the T.W. Sullivan Hydroelectric Project in 1953 to honor the PGE Hydro Engineer responsible for the design of multiple historic hydro projects. The T.W. Sullivan Plant is one of the very few hydroelectric plants in the United States that have been in continuous operation for more than 100 years.

Additional Resources:

Thomas W. Sullivan

Lewis & Clark Centennial Exposition

Henry W. Goode, the president of PGE, decided to make PGE a “popular public utility.” As the president of the Board of Directors for the exposition, his vision was for PGE to light the Lewis & Clark Centennial Exposition in 1905. The entire fair was lit up, marketing Portland as the “City of Lights.” Within 5 years, Portland’s population doubled and demand for electricity increased.

Additional Resources:

The Lewis and Clark Exposition

Willamette Falls: the birthplace of an electric Oregon & PGE

Although Willamette Falls is a small generation plant, based on production of electricity compared to other hydroelectric plants, it is the foundation and birthplace of our company, remaining operational today and neighboring a significant historic paper mill located on our property since the 19th century.

Willamette Falls Canal and Locks Company

Willamette Falls Canal and Locks Company formed to build a navigation route around the falls. Willamette Falls Navigation Canal & Locks constructed early 1870s.

Willamette Falls Electric Company

Willamette Falls Canal and Locks Company renamed Willamette Falls Electric Company. Construction of the concrete dam around Willamette Falls.

Station A

Station A, company’s first hydroelectric power plant constructed.

Learn more about Station A

Willamette Falls Purchased by PGE

Willamette Falls Electric Company purchased by the newly formed Portland General Electric. In 1892, Portland General Electric Company was formed when the Willamette Falls Electric Company and the Willamette Transportation and Locks Company merged. In 1897, the Willamette Falls Powerhouse was closed as a generation plant.

Station B

Station B constructed, 1953 renamed T.W. Sullivan Hydroelectric Plant. The T. W. Sullivan Plant is one of very few hydroelectric plants in the United States that have been in continuous operation for more than 100 years.

Additional Resources:

Thomas W. Sullivan

Lewis & Clark Centennial Exposition

Lewis & Clark Centennial Exposition (with PGE President serving as president of the Board of Directors for the exposition).

Portland Railway, Light and Power Company (PRL&P)

PGE, Portland Railway Company, and Oregon Water Power & Railway Company merged, becoming the Portland Railway, Light and Power Company (PRL&P)

Learn more about Station A

Learn more about Station B

Willamette Falls Electric Company

Willamette Falls Canal and Locks Company renamed Willamette Falls Electric Company. Construction of the concrete dam around Willamette Falls was completed in 1888. This project includes a horseshoe-shaped dam located along the crest of Willamette Falls and consists of a 600-foot-long spillway section, a 2,300-foot-long dam topped with flashboards, all aimed at diverting water into the powerhouse and the paper mills located nearby.

Willamette Falls Canal and Locks Company

Willamette Falls Canal and Locks Company formed to build a navigation route around the falls. Willamette Falls Navigation Canal and Locks were constructed in the early 1870s. Among the oldest in the nation, the National Register listed bypass canal and locks skirting Willamette Falls opened in 1873. Unfortunately, in November 2011, the U.S. Army Corps moved the canal and locks to “non-operational” status, closing them indefinitely. In 2021, the Oregon Legislature established the Willamette Falls Locks Authority, an 11-member body that will assume ownership of the locks once the U.S. Army Corps completes identified repairs. The Authority includes representatives from the Willamette Falls and Landings Heritage Area Coalition, Cities of West Linn and Wilsonville, Clackamas County, Metro, the Tribes, and PGE.

Portland Railway, Light and Power Company (PRL&P)

PGE, Portland Railway Company and Oregon Water Power & Railway Company merged, becoming Portland Railway, Light and Power Company (PRL&P), the predecessor of PGE. PRL&P is the only streetcar operator within Portland city limits.

Additional Resources:

Portland Railway Light and Power

Willamette Falls Canal and Locks Company formed to build a navigation route around the falls. Willamette Falls Navigation Canal and Locks were constructed in the early 1870s.

Willamette Falls Electric Company purchased by the newly formed Portland General Electric.

(Oregon Encyclopedia)

Station A, the company’s first hydroelectric power plant, has been built. The nation’s first long-distance transmission of electricity is completed on June 3, 1889, when Portland streetlights lit up 14 miles away.

1860s - 1930s

Learn more about Station A

Additional Resources:

Thomas W. Sullivan

Additional Resources:

Thomas W. Sullivan

Portland Railway Light and Power

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History of PGE

Electrifying Oregon

Powering Progress

A Thoughtful Transition

History of PGE

Electrifying Oregon

Powering Progress

A Thoughtful Transition

Forever Evolving

Powering the Future

A Thoughtful Transition

Clackamas Project Expansion

Building Reliable Power Plants

Powering Progress

Willamette Falls

Clackamas River Construction

Electrifying Oregon

History of PGE

Electrifying Oregon

Powering Progress

A Thoughtful Transition

2007 | Port Westward

Forever Evolving

Learn about Port Westward

2007 | Biglow Canyon Wind Farm

Powering the Future

Learn about Biglow Canyon Wind Farm

2016 | Carty Generating Station

Forever Evolving

View the 1990s - Present Timeline

2020 | Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility

Powering the Future

View the 1990s - Present Timeline

2014 | Tucannon River Wind Farm

Powering the Future

Learn about Tucannon River Wind Farm

1974 | Beaver Combustion Plant

Building Reliable Power Plants

Learn about Beaver Combustion Plant

1976 | Trojan Nuclear Power Plant

Building Reliable Power Plants

Learn about Trojan Nuclear Power Plant

1980 | Boardman Coal Power Plant

Building Reliable Power Plants

Learn about Boardman Coal Power Plant

1958 | North Fork Hydroelectric Plant

Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project

Learn about North Fork Hydroelectric Plant

1964 | Round Butte Dam & Powerhouse

Building Reliable Power Plants

View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline

1958 | Pelton Dam & Powerhouse

Building Reliable Power Plants

View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline

1965 | Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line

Building Reliable Power Plants

Learn about Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line

1956 | Timothy Lake

Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project

View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline

1956 | Frog Lake

Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project

View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline

1953 | PGE Parks & Recreation

Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project

View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline

1909 | Electric Building

Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River

View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline

1911 | The Milliken Transmission Line

Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River

Learn about The Milliken Transmission Line

1907 | Faraday Powerhouse (Station G)

Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River

View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline

1911 | River Mill Powerhouse (Station M)

Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River

View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline

1924 | Three Lynx Village

Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River

Learn about Three Lynx Village

1924 | Oak Grove Powerhouse (Station P)

Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River

View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline

1895 | T.W. Sullivan Powerhouse (Station B)

Willamette Falls: the birthplace of an electric Oregon & PGE

Learn about Station B

1889 | Willamette Falls Powerhouse (Station A)

Willamette Falls: the birthplace of an electric Oregon & PGE

Learn about Station A

1868 | Willamette Falls Canal and Locks Company

Willamette Falls: the birthplace of an electric Oregon & PGE

View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline

2007 | Port Westward

Forever Evolving

Learn about Port Westward

2007 | Biglow Canyon Wind Farm

Powering the Future

Learn about Biglow Canyon Wind Farm

2016 | Carty Generating Station

Forever Evolving

View the 1990s - Present Timeline

2020 | Wheatridge Renewable Energy Facility

Powering the Future

View the 1990s - Present Timeline

2014 | Tucannon River Wind Farm

Powering the Future

Learn about Tucannon River Wind Farm

1974 | Beaver Combustion Plant

Building Reliable Power Plants

Learn about Beaver Combustion Plant

1976 | Trojan Nuclear Power Plant

Building Reliable Power Plants

Learn about Trojan Nuclear Power Plant

1980 | Boardman Coal Power Plant

Building Reliable Power Plants

Learn about Boardman Coal Power Plant

1958 | North Fork Hydroelectric Plant

Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project

Learn about North Fork Hydroelectric Plant

1964 | Round Butte Dam & Powerhouse

Building Reliable Power Plants

View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline

1958 | Pelton Dam & Powerhouse

Building Reliable Power Plants

View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline

1965 | Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line

Building Reliable Power Plants

Learn about Bethel-Round Butte Transmission Line

1956 | Timothy Lake

Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project

View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline

1956 | Frog Lake

Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project

View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline

1953 | PGE Parks & Recreation

Expansion of the Clackamas River Hydroelectric Project

View the 1940s - 1980s Timeline

1909 | Electric Building

Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River

View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline

1911 | The Milliken Transmission Line

Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River

Learn about The Milliken Transmission Line

1907 | Faraday Powerhouse (Station G)

Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River

View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline

1911 | River Mill Powerhouse (Station M)

Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River

View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline

1924 | Three Lynx Village

Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River

Learn about Three Lynx Village

1924 | Oak Grove Powerhouse (Station P)

Constructing Hydropower on the Clackamas River

View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline

1895 | T.W. Sullivan Powerhouse (Station B)

Willamette Falls: the birthplace of an electric Oregon & PGE

Learn about Station B

1889 | Willamette Falls Powerhouse (Station A)

Willamette Falls: the birthplace of an electric Oregon & PGE

Learn about Station A

1868 | Willamette Falls Canal and Locks Company

Willamette Falls: the birthplace of an electric Oregon & PGE

View the 1860s - 1930s Timeline

Show All

A Thoughtful Transition

1990s - Present

Powering Progress

1940s - 1980s

Electrifying Oregon

1860s - 1930s