BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — Turning on the lights in your home goes beyond a flip of a switch.
"There are folks out there who don't really know where their power comes from,” Itsy Tanaka with Idaho Power said. “Yes, it's all the powerlines in town but the majority of the power comes from this canyon complex."
Tanaka manages the west region of Power Plants for Idaho Power.
"I manage all the operations, the maintenance, of all the Hells Canyon Complex," he said.
The complex consists of three plants. Hells Canyon, Brownlee and Oxbow Dams.
CBS 2 got an inside look at Oxbow Power Plant where Idaho power is generated. The shape of the river is said to resemble the U-shaped collar around an ox’s neck. It can be found 13 miles downstream of Brownlee Dam.
"It's the biggest John Deere Tractor you could ever imagine," said apprentice Bradey Whitener said. “It's 300,000 horsepower."
Whitener has been helping operate Oxbow Dam for seven months. He says he’s been learning a lot and has respect for those in control of the machinery.
"The amount of work that goes into them, it’s like being fed with a firehose,” Whitener said. “You get some pieces and bits from everyone here and there and hopefully after 15 years, I've retained some of it."
Idaho Power owns and operates 17 hydroelectric plants on the Snake River. These make up its largest source of electrical generation. Idaho also has some of the lowest electricity costs in the nation which these power plants play a role in generating.
After the power is created, electricity moves through Idaho and parts of Oregon.
"This was all engineered way back in the 50s and 60s,” Whitener said. “The way those people thought, yeah, it's crazy."
While the machinery is impressive, there are people working behind the mechanics and engineering too.
"Big massive machines. Trying to keep track and take care of those, is amazing," Whitener said.
Along with operating the Dam, Idaho Power also has biologists who maintain fish in the area. To learn more about the Oxbow Hatchery, click HERE.
Idaho Power operates campground and recreation areas in the area. For more information click HERE.
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