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ST. GEORGE — More than $1,000 in damage was caused to the Quail Creek Hydropower Plant Sunday night when vandals trespassed and forced open a steel industrial door.
The plant believes the vandals climbed over a six-foot, razor wire fence and were likely looking for copper. Operational equipment was not removed or damaged.
The Washington County Water Conservancy District owns and operates the plant. General Manager Ron Thompson said the regularity of vandalism and theft is troubling.
"It's even more disconcerting to know this was a premeditated effort that required select tools and skills to secure access to one of our core, multi-million dollar facilities — damage to which could have cost Washington County taxpayers millions of dollars," he said in a news release.
It's even more disconcerting to know this was a premeditated effort that required select tools and skills to secure access to one of our core, multi-million dollar facilities.
–Ron Thompson General Manager
The plant is increasing their security after the incident, but the district has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of individuals vandalizing or stealing from district properties. The reward was put in place after a separate incident less than a month ago at Southern Utah Water Conservation Garden.
Metal was stolen from the garden's trellis on March 7, leading to hundreds of dollars in repair. Associate General Manager Barbara Hjelle told the St. George Spectrum that the incident was one of many acts of vandalism, totaling thousands of dollars, since the garden opened in 2001.
"Most of the incidences are minor, such as stolen flower pot, chair or bird feeder, but it all adds up," she said.
Anyone with information regarding the recent vandalism of the power plant can contact the district at 435-673-3617.
