The unimoggers' Roaring '20s 20-Cache Series is designed to bring you to little-known jewels within our region or to learn a little bit about the events happening during that time. We encourage you to read the complete descriptions so that you will have that "I didn't know that!" moment. Some are short hikes, some are park and grabs, some are lengthy hikes with each cache type presented for your caching enjoyment. They will be published throughout 2020 in no particular order. This one is:
Cache #16: Lake Wallenpaupack, 1926
Lake Wallenpaupack, the third largest man-made lake in Pennsylvania, was built in 1926 by Pennsylvania Power & Light Company.
The late 19th & early 20th centuries saw great interest in generating electricity with the power of water. The International Hydropower Association tells us that the first recorded use of hydroelectric power was in 1878 in Northumberland, England. By 1910 hydro plants were producing electricity in Europe, the United States and Taipei.
Apparently Wallenpaupack Creek, and the valley it flowed through at the border of Wayne & Pike Counties, was considered an ideal location. In 1924, after purchasing the needed land, Pennsylvania Power & Light Company (PPL) began a two year project to construct the dam, Tafton Dike, powerhouse and the 3 and a half mile pipeline that carries the water from the dam in Hawley to the powerhouse in Lackawaxen. Electricity production began in 1926.
The Wallenpaupack Environmental Learning Center, located at 126 PPL Drive off of Route 6 in Hawley, and the Lake Wallenpaupack Visitor's Center have some great photos and artifacts in case you are interested in learning more.
All dogs must be on a leash. Motorized vehicles are prohibited including trailbikes, ATVs, motorcycles, and snowmobiles. Difficulty and terrain ratings based on the geocaching.com guidelines.
