At the turn of the 20th century, hydrology—the study and management of water—was a frontier of innovation and vital for expanding the progress of industrialization and growing cities. In a rapidly industrializing world, water promised power, growth, and the ability to shape thriving communities.
But in the late 1800s, understanding how to reclaim roaring rivers, maintain clean water supplies, and harness hydroelectric power was an evolving field. That was when our founder, Daniel W. Mead, stepped into this dynamic field with a passion that would shape the course of his career and, ultimately, our firm’s legacy.
Following the Currents of Progress
Mead began his career after graduating from Cornell University with a degree in civil engineering. At just 23 years old, he was appointed Rockford city engineer—a position charged with solving a water supply problem that had plagued the community for years. He met the challenge head-on. His inventive solutions not only resolved Rockford’s water issues but also caught the attention of other water engineering experts who recognized his competence and ingenuity.
The early 1900s were a time of incredible growth for cities and industry, and water—in all its forms—provided the undercurrent for this expansion. After his success in Rockford, Mead set his sights on new challenges. He moved to Chicago and established his first consulting firm—the launch of Mead & Hunt—in the First National Bank Building, specializing in water supply and waterpower systems.
For Mead, each project offered an opportunity to learn, adapt, and innovate. His relentless curiosity about waterpower and energy drove him to perfect his craft and share his insights with fellow engineers through writing articles and attending speaking engagements.
A Challenge Worth Pursuing
One of his most ambitious projects from those early days stands as a testament to both his ingenuity and his determination: the Prairie du Sac hydroelectric facility in Wisconsin. The site presented a seemingly insurmountable problem. The foundation for the facility lay on a bed of sand—and soil borings revealed no solid ground for at least 50 feet below the riverbed. Less creative minds might have shrunk that intimidating obstacle, but Mead saw a challenge he couldn’t resist.
His solution? Drive an astonishing 11,000 wooden pilings, each between 12-18 inches in diameter, more than 60 feet deep into the sandy riverbed. With this sturdy foundation in place, a concrete dam rose on top of the pilings, and 41 tainter gates were installed to control the water flow. It was an impressive feat of engineering, requiring more than 300 workers and an investment of more than $4 million—making it one of the largest construction projects in the Midwest at the time.
Empowering Communities
With Mead’s expertise in hydropower, the firm established clients across the Midwest, notably in Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. In fact, Mead designed some of the very first large-scale hydroelectric projects in Wisconsin.
As one of five investors, he helped establish the Peninsular Power Company to generate and deliver power to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and support the iron mines of the Menominee Range that bordered Michigan and Wisconsin. The power company’s hydroelectric facility and dams provided reliable, cost-effective energy sources that supported the mines and their surrounding communities.
In 1906, the firm was awarded the design for the Kilbourn (Wisconsin Dells) hydroelectric facility on the Wisconsin River. The facility’s owner, the Southern Wisconsin Power Company, spent $2.5 million—a fortune in that era—on the 6,600-kW plant before its completion in 1910.
Mead went on to serve as chief engineer for three more consecutive hydroelectric facility projects:
- Des Plaines River south of Chicago for the Power & Light Company of Illinois ($1.5 million)
- Peshtigo River for the North Hydroelectric Company of Green Bay, WI ($1 million)
- Little World Power Company of Oshkosh, WI ($500,000)
These hydropower projects transformed the regions they served. A dam or a water supply system could mean the difference between a struggling town and a thriving community. Reliable water and electricity spurred economic growth, supported new industries, and improved quality of life.
Mead’s work brought tangible benefits to countless communities by providing the resources they needed to grow and prosper. His contributions were important technical achievements that shaped the historical landscape of the Midwest and the field of hydrology.
A Legacy of Ingenuity
Mead’s work as chief engineer for numerous hydroelectric facilities—including serving on a committee appointed by President Calvin Coolidge to oversee the Hoover Dam—demonstrated remarkable problem-solving and engineering skills. He truly had a vision for what hydroelectric technology could achieve. His early successes were more than milestones in his career. His projects embodied a belief that taking care of people by providing reliable, clean energy could propel society forward.
His legacy lives on in every dam, water system, and hydroelectric facility he designed, a reminder of the vital role hydrology played in building the world we know today. His work in the early 1900s helped pave the way for considering water as more than a resource: it offered a source of power, progress, and possibility.
