time bought many acres in Sec. 35, Pleasant Twp. and Sec. 2 and 3 in Glenwood Twp laying along the township line. Much of this land had been owned by the Drew and Donahue families and was adjoining the south side of the Musser farm. In later years this Upper Iowa Power Company was purchased by the Interstate Power Company.

Here on the Upper Iowa River was a great location for a power dam just above the mouth of “Coon Creek” where the valley narrowed between 2 bluffs.

The lower dam represented a huge construction project with its four spillways opening against the south bluff. Between them and the towering power plant building were 5 huge flood gates which could be opened when necessary. The turbines which supplied the electric power to Decorah were in the lower level of the power plant building.

After some time huge floods with ice and floating trees washed away the north access to power plant building making it necessary to build a long spillway to handle the flood waters. More necessary was the “swinging bridge” which crossed overhead to the power plant building just below the spillway. This was the main access “footbridge” to the power plant itself which was now out in the middle next to the 5 flood gates.

Much of the time during the construction process the workmen boarded at the nearby Musser farm. Mother Delia (my grandmother) was a great cook dating back to her earlier experience at a boarding house in Mitchell, SD where she had developed a reputation as a good cook.

Although this was a pre-automobile/horse and buggy days, in 1908 and 1909 the favorite thing was to go to the lower dam to see the huge project being built. After it was completed there was a beautiful, large lake formed above the dam which many of us still remember. The April 1910 issue of the Decorah Journal tells us if you want a swift boat ride, to stop in to see the Solem brothers, Joe and Barney, who lived about a mile or more above the dam. They could haul several passengers in their new inboard motor boat for a sight seeing trip down the lake to the dam.

Alaric was married 18 Dec 1919 to Bertha 0. Anderson (b. 9 Aug 1899, Decorah). She was the daughter of Benidick and Inez (Klanson) Anderson.

Alaric became one of the “operators” of the new power dam along with Julius Peterson. The Petersons lived in the “operators” house by the dam. Alaric and his family lived in another house just above the dam, but this was a problem as it was on the opposite side of the river.

Since this house was on the other side of the river towards the Glenwood side, this made it necessary to build a “ferry crossing” over the narrow part of the lake above the dam. The ferry was built large enough to hold a “buggy" and, as I remember, there were 2 cables stretched across overhead and the ferry floated across on the water. It was guided by rolling pulleys on the overhead cables. The ferry landing was on an access driveway which came down from the “dug road” built along the hillside above the dam running down to the dam site.

While living in this place Alaric was operator for quite a few years. During this time 4 children were born: a son Boyden was the oldest, then a daughter lola who died of pneumonia 9 Mar 1925 at the age of 2 years and 2 months, another son Robert and Marlys the youngest completed the family.

In the late 1920’s the lower dam was given a new life when a 6 X 6 tunnel waterline was cut through the hill to the lake and extended down to a new power plant just above the river below. This new power plant had much improved new equipment with a much higher electric output.

Alaric was transferred by Interstate Power Company to become a power plant operator at Mitchell, IA near Osage. After a few years there he was transferred to Delhi, IA to become operator of a new power plant there. At Delhi the power company had built a wonderful new design power plant. It was a new modern power plant with a bridge over the top of it incorporated into the building of the dam. The lake “Lake Delhi" which it formed was an extra large one for that type. It became a resort and recreational area which is still used today.

In addition to plant operation, the family operated a "stand" down by the lake. They did a lively business in “treats", camping and fishing supplies, etc. The family became very well known in the area and had many fun years there. Alaric and the boys continued their hunting and fishing in this area.

During this period Robert “Bobbie” when he was out of school came to work for Uncle McArthur in Decorah. One day he and Boyden, along with Howard Peterson, went out on a fox hunt. Bobbie went back to the car. Later when they found him the loaded shotgun lying on the seat of the car had discharged into his abdomen. Bobbie and lola are buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in Decorah.

Alaric’s daughter, Marlys, is now married to William Dusenbery who farms near West Chester, IA. Boyden was in the service during World War II. He and his wife, Naomi, now live in Clinton, Ml.

After the power plant lost its importance, Alaric and Bertha operated a drug and convenience store in the little town of Delhi for about 30 years until retiring. Here again they had many friends. Around Delhi Alaric was called “Dave Musser.”

Alaric died in 1973. Bertha died 14 Feb 1988. Both are in Pineview Cemetery near Delaware, IA.

In the year 1941 a very heavy rainstorm on the day before Decoration Day was a disaster for the lower dam. The raging flood washed away another large area of the north approach to the old power plant. The rising flood waters swept away the overhead swinging bridge to the old power house in the middle of the night along with many beautiful, huge pine trees and a barn. The Peterson family was lucky to escape in the dark with their lives before the “operators house" was swept away completely along with many of their belongings.

Many of us have fond memories of the lower dam. Before it was destroyed the lower dam was the best fishing spot in Winneshiek Co. It was a great place to fish for catfish, bass, crappies, northern sauger and wall-eye pike.