Transmission Powerline Rebuild after Kansas Blizzard
On April 30, 2017, northwest Kansas experienced widespread, unseasonably late, blizzard conditions.
The storm pummeled a swath of roughly 110 miles with wind gusts of 45-65 MPH along with heavy wet snow breaking thousands of east-west running power poles. During the storm, even the National Guard had trouble rescuing stranded motorists due to their own vehicles getting stuck in the snow.
In Sheridan County, the snow was reported to be almost 30 inches with area drifts measuring 8 to 10 feet.
Throughout the day, the corridor of blizzard conditions shifted directions causing some counties in Northwestern Kansas to have anywhere from one to five hours of a lull before the storm returned, coming back for a second round. The blizzard finally moved out of the state’s northwest quadrant by midnight on the 30th.
The city of Hoxie, the county seat of Sheridan County was left without power. In its wake, the storm had damaged a 16 mile stretch of 115-kV transmission powerline. Midwest Energy Operations personnel, headquartered in Hays, KS concentrated on the immediate task of dispatching crews and restoring temporary service.
Ward Electric Company was contracted to rebuild the 16-mile stretch of 115-kV transmission powerline in Hoxie, KS.
During the summer months, temporary repairs were made to the old line while the new transmission line was being engineered and the new material obtained. The Ward Electric crew arrived on scene at the end of November to begin the line rebuild.
Our crew started spotting and framing 145 H-structures along the right-of-way with the setting crew close behind.
After a month and a half, all the structures were standing and we started one of eight wire pulls of 795 Drake Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced wire.
795 Drake, suited to endure the strong Kansas winds, has a long service record because of its economy, dependability, and strength to weight ratio. The strength of its steel core enables higher tensions, less sag, and longer spans than other alternatives.
While the wire pulls were being completed the last standing structures of the previous line were demolished and removed.
During the rebuild, the residents of Hoxie were very accommodating and helped to make the transition a very smooth process.
Midwest Energy supplied all materials and assisted with any requests that were needed in a timely manner.
The duration of the powerline rebuild in Hoxie, Kansas totaled four months and was completed on schedule.