What a good idea.
The plan, build
a power-generating plant
water under pressure
passes through.
Portal Powerhouse,
At the exit end of Ward Tunnel
Conveying waters
of the San Joaquin River,
from its South Fork
to the Middle Fork watershed.
From Florence Lake,
thirteen-miles-long shaft
bored through solid granite,
entering Huntington Lake.
The Bechtel Corporation
did the engineering,
construction began June 1955.
Winter conditions in November
forced suspension of work:
tail-race, forebay dam,
concrete for the structure
at end of the penstock.
June 1956, work continued.
November, the plant completed,
automated, & operated
from Big Creek Powerhouse No.1.
A small, unassuming power-plant
at the fork of two roads,
Kaiser Pass Road & Highway 168,
until the valve opened,
a large stream gushed out
powering 13,410 horsepower.
A Francis turbine,
generating 47,400 mega-watt
hours of electricity annually.
Named “Portal,” for its location
the large, imposing terminus
of an eight-foot steel conduit
protruding from the output end.
A constant stream of water,
snowmelt from the other side
of the mountain ridge.
A powerhouse outdoors,
not contained in a building.
INSTANT NOODLES 