Childs-Irving Hydroelectric Facilities
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Childs-Irving Hydroelectric Facilities is a power-generating dam in Arizona.
[edit] History
The water rights of Fossil Creek, located between Pine/Strawberry and Camp Verde, Arizona, were purchased in 1900 by rancher Lew Turner. His goal was to generate hydroelectric power for sale to mining communities in the Bradshaw Mountains and Black Hills in Yavapai County, such as Jerome, Clarkdale, Crown King and many others.
 A map showing the locations of Fossil Creek and the Childs-Irving power plants |
Arizona Power Company began construction of the Childs power plant in 1908. Because the land around Fossil Creek consists mainly of mountainous terrain and canyons, and the nearest railroad station was located in Mayer Arizona, more than 400 mules and 600 men were used to pull over 150 wagons along the 40 mile wagon trail. Other than the foreman and timekeeper, all of the workers were Apache and Mojave Indians, working for $2 per day. Once construction of the flume began, 120 to 150 feet were constructed on a daily basis, costing around $100 per day.
The Childs plant, located near the Verde River outlet of Fossil Creek. The Irving plant, located halfway between Childs and the Fossil Springs source, was constructed in 1916. The system of canyons and steep falls from the spring source to the Verde River outlet provided an ideal location for a hydroelectric plant. The constant flow of 43 cubic feet per second was also a factor in powering the plants through Fossil Springs. Once completed, the Childs plant produced 2.8 megawatts of electrical power.
 power lines on Childs plant roof |
 The Childs plant |
 The Childs plant |
 The bridge over the turbine outlets at the Childs plant |
 One of the turbine outlets in operation |
 Water from the Childs turbines flows into the Verde River |
[edit] The Flume and tunnels
The first stage of development included a flume and tunnels made of concrete.
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[edit] Stehr Lake
Between the Irving and Childs plants, the spring water exited the flume and tunnels and entered an artificial reservoir, Stehr Lake. Stehr Lake was built to create a backup water supply in case of low volume.
 The flow from the flume is moderated as it enters Stehr Lake |
 Stehr Lake |
 Stehr Lake |
Fossil Springs and Creek was so named due to the large amount of calcium in the water, causing bone like deposits, or travertine, to form in and around the creek bed.
