At Your Service Since 1889
The Story of McMinnville Water and Light
1889
McMinnville Water and Light is established as a municipal utility. Power and water operations begin with a plant on the South Yamhill River.
![](https://www.mc-power.com/wp-content/uploads/Image-1.png)
1906
The first service reservoir is established. Gravity transmission is used to deliver water to city customers. More service reservoirs will be added in 1918, 1964, and 1995.
![](https://www.mc-power.com/wp-content/uploads/Image-2.png)
1910
The Baker Creek Hydroelectric Plant is established and begins generating power for the City of McMinnville, just after the municipal utility passes its 20th year.
![Baker Creek hydroelectric plant built in 1909](https://www.mc-power.com/wp-content/uploads/Baker-Creek-Hydro-website-copy-1600x1116.jpg)
1940
After approval by McMinnville voters, power generated by Bonneville Dam of the Columbia River System begins flowing to the city.
![](https://www.mc-power.com/wp-content/uploads/1939-Bonneville-NARA_E112741-copy.jpg)
1951
BPA establishes the East McMinnville Substation and control house. McMinnville Water & Light will purchase it from BPA in 2000.
![Constructed in 1951, the new East McMinnville BPA Substation included a control house.](https://www.mc-power.com/wp-content/uploads/1951-ControlHouseEastMcMinnville.jpg)
1977
The Norman R. Scott Water Treatment Plant is established below Link and McGuire Reservoirs, and is named after the city’s mayor. The plant will be expanded in 2010.
![](https://www.mc-power.com/wp-content/uploads/Image-7.png)
1988
A ribbon cutting and celebration is held June 10, 1988 for McMinnville Water and Light’s new facilities and headquarters at 855 NE Marsh Lane.
![](https://www.mc-power.com/wp-content/uploads/1988-MarshLaneFacilityDedication-copy.jpg)
2004
the Milton Hunt McGuire Dam and Reservoir on the Nestucca River, originally established in 1971 and named to honor MW&L’s first general manager, is raised to increase water storage from 1.2 billion gallons to 3.25 billion gallons.
![](https://www.mc-power.com/wp-content/uploads/McGuire-Dam-1.jpg)