Virtual Video Tour

Take a virtual tour of the hydroelectric system from the Headworks to the Tailrace. This video explains many details about the system including the canal and its 33 mile trek through Nance and Platte counties and the powerhouses at Monroe and Columbus.

This video was produced by Columbus Middle School Computer Integration Specialist Lori Focher as part of the school's effort to integrate computer instruction into the classroom for application in a relevant way. Providing information from the District were Ron Ziola, VP Engineering; Jim Frear, Sr. Engineering Technician; and Gary Pearson, Headworks Supervisor.

Columbus Middle School 6th grade science classes do a unit on energy and normally take a field trip to the Columbus Powerhouse. A tour of the entire canal system would give students a more complete picture of the hydroelectric system. Since taking 250+ students on such a tour would be challenging, a "virtual tour" seemed like the next best thing. Lori says, "It was basically done to bring something 'real world' from right here in our community into the classroom."