Recent Aerial Photos of NGS and a Look Back at the Beginning

Two different people provided me with two different aerial photos taken recently of the Navajo Generating Station plant site. You know who you are, and thank you for getting these to me! Both of these photos show the current state of the NGS site as of July, 2022. There’s not much left there.

As an extra bonus I also show you an early aerial photo of the construction of the plant from 1970-ish. So this video gives you two ends of the spectrum: the demolition of NGS and the building of NGS. One of these is not like the other.

Enjoy!

An Aerial View of the NGS Stack Demolition

These photos show the December 18, 2020 stack demolition from an aerial vantage point. This images are the copyright property of John Dillon Photography and are used here by permission. You can see more by visiting John Dillon Photography on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/grandcanyonman/ and on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/grandcanyonman/. Thank you John for allowing me to use these!

NGS: The Stages of Demolition

Still Making Megawatts

This undated photo shows all 3 units of Navajo Generating Station online and making megawatts.

Stack Demolition

This view of the 12-18-2020 stack demolition was taken from the 500kV yard on the west side of the power block. The unit 3 precipitators came down as part of the stack implosion. Click to enlarge.

Units 1 and 2 Precipitators

Following the stack implosions, the units 1 and 2 precipitators were next to go. This image shows the units 1 and 2 precips moments before their demolition on 1-19-21. The unit 3 precips came down with the stack implosions on 12-18-2020 and can be seen on the left side of the picture. click to enlarge.

The Stackless Version

I took this picture on March 2nd, 2021, the day before the boiler demolitions. The stacks and precipitators are already gone. The stacks and the unit 3 precips came down on 12-18-20. The units 1 and 2 precips came down on 1-19-2021.

Boiler Demolition

This still image was taken from my video of the boiler demolition on 3-3-21 and shows the units 1-3 (right to left) boilers coming down, along with the unit 3 elevator.

Boiler Demolition Aftermath

After the boiler demolition, this cloud formed over the NGS plant site due to the coal fire that resulted from the demolition. The coal silos for all 3 units were part of the demolition that day and a pretty significant fire ensued but it looked like it was quickly contained. Click image to enlarge.

Turbine Deck and Power Block

I took this in the late afternoon of March 3rd, 2021, the day the boilers came down. It was still hazy from the smoke earlier. Click image to enlarge and you can see a U3 silo and part of the boiler laying on their sides and a couple of the U3 steam leads sticking up in the air.

NGS Stacks From the 500 Yard

Here’s a still from 12-18-2020 of the stack implosion as seen from the west side in the 500 kV yard. Of course the boilers and precipitators are gone now as well. Click to enlarge.

Navajo Generating Station, December 18, 2020

My Conversation with Shayne Jones, Maintenance Superintendent at Navajo Generating Station

I had the privilege of interviewing Shayne Jones, former Maintenance Superintendent at Navajo Generating Station. We talked about his roots growing up in Page Arizona, his career with Salt River Project at Navajo Generating Station, and his thoughts about the closure of NGS and its subsequent demolition.

I hadn’t seen or talked to Shayne in literally decades, so it was good to grab some time to catch up and reminisce. Shayne wrote an article for Lake Powell Life News called NGS: The Iconic Stacks are Coming Down. Be sure to click that link and check it out. Also, consider subscribing to my YouTube Channel so you don’t miss a thing. Enjoy!

Aerial View of the NGS Stack Demolition

Here’s an aerial view of the NGS stack demolition that took place on December 18, 2020. Courtesy of EcoFlight, this video is hosted on their YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQfVR3–WySBu8b4JQmzEXA and shared here.

NGS Power Block Before and After

Stackless and now boilerless too. Only the NGS Power Block remains.

My Conversation with Bobby Poole, Retired NGS O&M 3 Specialist

I’ve known Bobby Poole since 1960 when we moved to Page Arizona and I started first grade there. We were both on site at Navajo Generating Station during construction of the plant in the early 1970s. Bobby worked for Owens Corning Fiberglass at the time and I was a security guard at NGS, employed by Burtco. We both witnessed the construction of NGS first hand, specifically units 2 and 3. I was hired by Salt River Project as an Operator Trainee in 1976 and Bobby was hired in that same position in 1980. This conversation is his story, not just of his time at NGS but you’ll also hear a recap of his history as one of the first residents of Page. Links we talked about in this conversation:

• A History of Glen Canyon Dam (another site by yours truly!)
• My Conversation with Fred Larson
• My Conversation with Jeff Rhees

Navajo Generating Station Boiler Demolition

The NGS boiler demolition took place on March 3rd, 2021. Bobby Poole, a retiree of NGS and Salt River Project joined me as we watched and videoed the implosion.

The Before Picture

Today is Tuesday, March 2nd 2021 and I am in Page to hopefully video the boilers coming down tomorrow, March 3rd. Consider this the before picture. I was unable to get any closer. Tomorrow the boilers will be gone. In addition to the video, I’ll try for an after picture from this same spot if I can get back in here.