Moderately Interesting Things

Taum Sauk Hydroelectric Power Station is a pure pumped-storage hydroelectric plant, designed to help meet peak power demands during the day. Located more than 80 kilometers from the nearest water source, the Mississippi river, there is no natural primary flow available for generation, unlike most other pumped storage sites In 2005, the plant had to shut down when the upper reservoir suffered a catastrophic failure releasing 4 million cubic-meters of water in twelve minutes. The plant returned to service after a gap of four years. The rebuilt upper reservoir is now considered an engineering milestone, being the largest roller-compacted concrete dam in North America.

Frost Flowers

Frost flowers, also known as ice ribbons, are common in the arctic region of the ocean, but extremely rare when they occur on land by a plant. Only several species of plants can produce these extremely beautiful, yet sadly temporary spectacles.

A Bahraini protestor stands amidst tear gas fired by riot police during clashes following a protest against the ruling regime in the village of Diraz, west of Manama, late on July 25, 2013.