Menomonie Mayor Randy Knaack cuts a ribbon dedicating the Tainter Gate Historical Overlook in a ceremony held on Thursday, June 19.
Representatives of Xcel Energy, Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce, the Dotseth family, and the Dunn County Historical Society look on as Menomonie Mayor Randy Knaack cuts a ribbon dedicating the Tainter Gate Historical Overlook in a ceremony held Thursday, June 19. The overlook is located on the south side of the Menomonie hydroelectric dam adjacent to the Wilson Place Museum. New interpretive signage at the site describes the water control gate invented by Jeremiah Burnham Tainter in 1886, and first used in the Menomonie dam to serve the Knapp, Stout & Co. Company’s operations on the Red Cedar River. Today the Tainter Gate is used in water control dams and locks throughout the world. Additional signage describes the history of hydro- and hydroelectric power generation at the site. “It was just a good opportunity to develop a beautiful overview. You look at the dam and the lake and the river, it’s fantastic to come up here and sit,” said Tony Witkowski, project manager for Xcel Energy. “So, we said let’s also make it educational, learn about the history of Menomonie, which we’re very proud of, and learn about the history of power generation and renewable energy.” The overlook was part of Xcel’s $1.8 million abutment stabilization project to enhance the safety and longevity of the Menomonie dam.
