World Online: Panorama – Kansas River, North levee

The view of the Kansas River and downtown Lawrence from the north levee encompasses a view of the Bowersock Mills and Power Co. just below the northbound lanes of the Kansas River bridge.

Bowersock Mills has been in operation since 1874 and provides flow control for Lawrence’s public water intakes and produces enough electricity to power 1,800 homes.

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Construction on Bowersock Dam began in 1872 by Orlando Darling. Members of the Bowersock family led by James H. Gower didn’t begin to take over ownership and operation of the facility intil 1878.

Since 1972, all power generated by the hydroelectric plant at the dam has been purchased by Kansas Power and Light (now Westar Energy).

To this day, Bowersock Mills and Power Co. remains the only commercial water-powered electric generating facility in the state of Kansas.

For more information about Bowersock Mills and Power Co., including a detailed history of the site, visit http://www.bowersockpower.com.