Chickamauga Dam
The Chickamauga Dam is a Hydroelectric Plant located in Chattanooga, Tennessee that is managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority and fed by Lake Chickamauga. A Hydroelectric Dam Plant is a dam that intakes water through a pen stock which pushes a very large turbine that is connected to a generator in a powerhouse. The energy that is generated by the water that moves the turbines is send through long distance power lines to help power the city of Chattanooga.
Chattanooga is listed as the most flood-vulnerable city in the Tennessee Valley so this dam is vitally important to the city. In the past plants like these were managed by dam operators constantly but in today’s age of automation this 16 Megawatt dam is remotely controlled by highly sensitive computers that are constantly monitoring and adjusting the water levels. Although it is empty on weekends during the week there are around a dozen workers maintaining the dam and adjusting water levels to optimize power and prevent flooding.
The dam was built in 1936 yet a lot of the original equipment remains working and operational. The plant itself is a 5,800 foot long concrete wall which stands 129 feet tall. This dam consists of 3.5 million cubic yards of concrete and rock. The cost to complete this project was approximately $40 million. When water is released from the dam and sent downstream they need to be careful not to release too much too quickly, they are also required to inform the city of Chattanooga 2 hours ahead of time before any water is sent down stream. The city can also place water orders, usually through email, this order is a request for a certain amount of water to be released into the river.
The dam is a large attraction for many people looking to fish or go boating and when we were on site we saw many people fishing at the mouth of the dam. There are picnic areas nearby as well as a number of hiking trail that surround the dam.
Fig.1: Inside of the Chickamauga Dam looking
into the main floor of turbines and generators
Chattanooga is listed as the most flood-vulnerable city in the Tennessee Valley so this dam is vitally important to the city. In the past plants like these were managed by dam operators constantly but in today’s age of automation this 16 Megawatt dam is remotely controlled by highly sensitive computers that are constantly monitoring and adjusting the water levels. Although it is empty on weekends during the week there are around a dozen workers maintaining the dam and adjusting water levels to optimize power and prevent flooding.
The dam was built in 1936 yet a lot of the original equipment remains working and operational. The plant itself is a 5,800 foot long concrete wall which stands 129 feet tall. This dam consists of 3.5 million cubic yards of concrete and rock. The cost to complete this project was approximately $40 million. When water is released from the dam and sent downstream they need to be careful not to release too much too quickly, they are also required to inform the city of Chattanooga 2 hours ahead of time before any water is sent down stream. The city can also place water orders, usually through email, this order is a request for a certain amount of water to be released into the river.
The dam is a large attraction for many people looking to fish or go boating and when we were on site we saw many people fishing at the mouth of the dam. There are picnic areas nearby as well as a number of hiking trail that surround the dam.
Fig.1: Inside of the Chickamauga Dam looking
into the main floor of turbines and generators