Southern Power Company's transmission system once again grew with the addition of a hydroelectric plant on the Catawba River. Below the Great Falls plant built in 1907 by Southern Power, the Rocky Creek plant was completed in 1908 as a nearly identical plant.

Both Rocky Creek and the Ninety-Nine Islands (on the Broad River) hydroelectric plants were constructed simultaneously, the Rocky Creek plant was completed before Ninety-Nine Islands. The plant outputs 32,000 HP with eight Westinghouse 3000 kw, 3-phase generators connected to six Allis-Chalmers and two Holyoke turbines. Transformers step-up voltage to 44kV on which both pole and tower lines were built transmitting the power to Great Falls tie-in substation. Here the electricity fed into the Southern Power grid.

On both the wood pole lines and on the Aermotor twin tower line, Thomas M-3472 [id=429285869] were used along with Thomas two-part suspensions [id=420475395] on long distance spans. Several original twin towers are in service between Rocky Creek and Great Falls. The powerhouse has had minor upgrades over the hundred plus years of continuous service and is operated by Duke Energy. Notice that much of the original powerhouse architecture still remains along with glass plates on the transformer house and the terracotta roofing!

One out of many different articles referencing the plant and Southern Power Company system: https://books.google.com/books?id=zwxKAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA6&dq=%22rocky+creek%22+general+electric+generators&hl=en&sa=X&ei=0WXrVKTdK4SUNr_mgLgC&ved=0CDUQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false

The Hydroelectric Power Plants of South Carolina Collection:

High Shoals 1894 [id=332186800]

Pelzer Lower Dam 1895 [id=360186922]

Portman Shoals 1897 [id=340212432]

Berry Shoals 1903 [id=330110326]

Holiday Shoals 1905 [id=332438399]

Ware Shoals 1906 [id=347219612]

Saluda Dam 1907 [id=268330246]

Gaston Shoals 1908 [id=346266588]

Rocky Creek 1908: [you are here]

Boyd's Mill Pond 1909 [id=429197935]

Ninety-Nine Islands 1909 [id=358895213]

Fork Shoals -1910 [id=366408583]

Tumblin' Shoals 1912 [id=366398406]

Coneross 1912 [id=361466115]