Great River Energy's Coal Creek Tour Preview

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Interstate 94

The concrete used to rebuild Interstate 94, which under construction, and other concrete roads in this area, is made using fly ash, a valuable by-product from the coal generation process at Coal Creek Station.The use of fly ash, to replace a portion of Portland Cement, helps make a stronger and more durable concrete.Coal Creek Station is amongst the best fly ash in the nation and is highly desired by industry.

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Transmission Line

As you look to your left, you will see a alternating current transmission line. This goes from the Garrison Dam (Owned by Western Area Power Administration) and ties into the grid near Watertown SD.You will follow it all the way to Coal Creek Station.The transmission line was energized in the early 1950s.

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North Dakota Information

Agriculture is a vital economic force in North Dakota. About 90 percent of the state’s land is used for agriculture, totaling 40 million acres devoted to farming and ranching.Additionally, 24 percent of the state’s population is employed in the agricultural sector alone.North Dakota’s sub-humid continental climate is perfect for producing livestock and small grains, helping make it a top producer of dry edible beans, navy and pinto beans, canola, flaxseed, and honey. It’s also a top producer of durum and spring wheat – when you eat spaghetti, chances are it contains North Dakota wheat.

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Milton R. Young Station AC line

The transmission line going over U.S. highway 83 is an alternating current line and goes from Minnkota Power Cooperative's Milton R. Young Station about 10 miles west of this point (on the other side of the Missouri River) to near Grand Forks.

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Minnesota Power direct current transmission line

The transmission line that crosses the highway at this point is Minnesota Power's direct current transmission line that travels from Oliver County (west of the Missouri River) to just south of Duluth. Minnesota Power uses this line to transport wind power from Morton and Oliver counties to its customers in northeast Minnesota.Also, just one-half mile west, at the start of the Missouri River valley (which you can't see), farmers, in the early 1900s, used to mine into the side hills to obtain coal, which they then sold to residents and businesses for heating purposes.

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Information on Wilton

General W.D. Washburn formed the town in 1899, and a railroad in 1900.Original Soo Line Depot is on National Register of Historic Places – unusual construction – upper story is shaped like an oriental pagoda. It is thought that the wife of the town’s founder – after accompanying her husband to China – was influential in its architecture. It is now used as a railroad and mining museum.A mine, located one mile east, began full operation in 1901. By 1907 it was the largest underground lignite mine in the world. Many of the early miners were Ukrainians, Austrians and Hungarians. At times, the mine had more than 900 men on the payroll.Traux-Traer took over the mine in 1930, and began open pit stripping with large machines. In the mid-1940s, the company moved its equipment to Hazen. You can see huge ridges of spoil piles if you drive east of town.Wilton High School's mascot is a miner, reflecting the heritage of the local area.

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Point out Coal Creek Station

If you look to the northwest, about 20 miles away, you can see Coal Creek Station. Also, sometimes you are able to see the Falkirk Mine's two draglines on the horizon, one to the left of the plant and one to the right.The power plant to the left of Coal Creek Station is Basin Electric Power Cooperative's Leland Olds Station. You can often see the stack from this vantage point.And the power plant directly to your left, to the southwest, is Minnkota Power Cooperative's Milton R. Young Station. Again, you can often see the stack from this vantage point.Minnesota Power utilizes the electricity from the wind turbines that you see to the west.In the distance, between the bus and the horizon to the west, is the Missouri River Valley. We will get close to the river in about 10 miles.

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Transmission lines

The alternating current power line that crosses U.S. highway 83 is new, built by Minnkota Power Cooperative and operational in 2015. It runs from the Milton R. Young Station to Grand Forks, N.D.

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North Dakota highway 1804

North Dakota highway 1804 is so named because that is the year that the Lewis & Clark Expedition traveled into North Dakota, before spending the winter at Fort Mandan just west of Washburn, N.D.A highway on the other side of the Missouri River, North Dakota highway 1806, commemorates the year that the expedition traveled back through North Dakota on their way to St. Louis.

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Missouri River

Long before there were scenic byways, there was the Missouri River. Lewis and Clark took it to the Rocky Mountains, and eventually the West Coast, and back home. Today, you can travel along the water route and see an array of attractions along the way, including Garrison Dam.Fact: The Missouri River is the longest river in North America.On the other side of the river is the Cross Ranch State Park. A cottonwood tree in the park is estimated to be over 250 years old. The Park is a great place to camp, fish, hike, etc.Near Cross Ranch State Park is the Cross Ranch Nature Preserve, located along the only free-flowing section of the Missouri River in North Dakota.

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Information on Washburn

Population:The Washburn Airport has a fully paved concrete runway that is 60-feet wide by 3,700 feet long. The base of the runway includes fly ash from Stanton Station. The fly ash helps stabilize the base.The Sioux Ferry – located along the river at Washburn’s Riverside Park – was one of the last ferries used on the Missouri River. It was built by Oscar Anderson and took its maiden voyage on Memorial Day in 1952, and operated until 1962. The ferry once transported horses, autos and people from bank to bank. It was closed down because of navigation problems. And the bridge was built in the early 1970s.

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Lewis & Clark Interpretative Center

The Lewis & Clark Interpretative Center provides an overview of the Lewis & Clark Expedition with a special emphasis on the time spent at Fort Mandan during the winter of 1804-05.If you ever travel to North Dakota with family and friends, it is a recommended stop.About two miles west of the Center is a historic rebuild of Fort Mandan (you can't see this from the road). Fort Mandan is located adjacent to the Missouri River amongst a number of tall cottonwood trees.Pick up tour guide here.