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kettle falls

Kettle Falls in Voyageurs National Park - Photo credit jck_photos Flickr

Electrical improvements to Kettle Falls underway

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Work is underway to replace an aging underwater powerline in Voyageurs National Park.

The line supplies power to the historic Kettle Falls area, located near the Ontario-Minnesota Border, east of Fort Frances.

About 13 miles of underwater high-voltage cable is being replaced, along with transformer boxes and other electrical components necessary to provide power.

An enhanced emergency backup generation system is also being installed to maintain electricity during power outages.

“Kettle Falls is one of Voyageurs National Park’s most treasured destinations,” states Acting
Superintendent Brian Harmon, in a release.

“Replacing this aging electrical system will help ensure visitors can continue enjoying the historic hotel, visitor facilities, and unique experiences that make Kettle Falls such a special part of the park.”

Accessible only by water, the Kettle Falls Historic District is home to the Kettle Falls Hotel and remains one of Voyageurs’ most popular destinations.

The original line and equipment were installed in 1987.

Corrosion and repeated lightning strikes have affected the system in recent years, leading to frequent outages.

Federal funding is aiding in the work scheduled to be completed by next summer.

Boaters are being advised to use caution when passing through the area and to watch for work skiffs, floating cables, buoys and other temporary hazards.

Officials say boaters should maintain at least 100 yards clearance from construction vessels and equipment when possible and reduce speed to no-wake within 500 yards of active work zones.

Kettle Falls Hotel, Voyageur National Park (Crane Lake)

Kettle Falls power line replacement progresses

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Voyageurs National Park is planning on replacing a nearly 40-year old underwater electrical cable at Kettle Falls.

It has released findings on the project’s flood potential, which can be evaluated by the public until March 10. The document can be found on the National Park Service Planning, Environment and Public Comment website at https://parkplanning.nps.gov/KFElectric.

The 13-mile long cable and associated transformer boxes were installed in 1987 and supply power to the historic Kettle Falls Hotel, restaurant, and other concessioner-operated facilities that serve thousands of visitors each year. 

Due to old age, lightning strikes and an exposed neutral wire, the line has been compromised. This has caused safety concerns and intermittent power outages of varying duration. With no backup power, these outages can shut down the Kettle Falls Hotel, spoil food in the restaurant’s cold storage, and disable the electric fire‑suppression system.

The proposed replacement project would relocate electrical components out of the floodplain to improve safety and protect park infrastructure.

“The park looks forward to improving electrical service and the visitor experience at Kettle Falls while increasing the resilience of its infrastructure to flooding,” said Brian Harmon, acting superintendent of Voyageurs National Park.   

The project is funded by the Great American Outdoors Act Legacy Restoration Fund.