Alder Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Alder Dam |
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A front view of the Alder Dam.
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| Location | Pierce / Thurston counties, Washington |
| Coordinates | 46°48′05″N 122°18′37″W / 46.8015°N 122.3104°W |
| Construction began | 1942 |
| Opening date | 1945 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Nisqually River |
| Height | 330 ft (100 m) |
| Length | 1,600 ft (490 m) |
| Width (base) | 120 ft (37 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Alder Lake |
| Total capacity | 241,950 acre⋅ft (298,440,000 m3) |
| Catchment area | 286 sq mi (740 km2) |
| Surface area | 3,065 acres (12.40 km2) |
| Power station | |
| Turbines | 2 x 25 MW |
| Installed capacity | 50 MW |
| Annual generation | 197,830,000 KWh |
Alder Dam is a large concrete dam built on the Nisqually River in Washington, USA. It is a type of dam called a "thick arch" dam. This means it curves upstream, using the strength of its arch shape to hold back the water. The dam creates a big lake called Alder Lake. This lake is a favorite place for many fun outdoor activities. The dam also helps make electricity for nearby cities, especially Tacoma.
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Building a Giant Dam
Construction on Alder Dam started in 1942. It was finished just three years later, in 1945. When it was first built, Alder Dam was one of the tallest dams in the entire United States. Over time, even taller dams have been built. But Alder Dam remains a very impressive structure.
Alder Lake: A Fun Place
The water held back by Alder Dam forms Alder Lake. This lake stretches for about 7 miles (11 km) upstream from the dam. It can hold a huge amount of water, about 241,950 acre-feet (0.29844 km3). Alder Lake has a long shoreline, stretching for about 28 miles (45 km). Because of its size and beauty, the lake is a very popular spot for recreation. Many people come here to enjoy activities like boating, fishing, and swimming. It is also close to Mount Rainier National Park, making it a great stop for visitors.
Making Electricity
Alder Dam plays a big role in making clean energy. Water from Alder Lake flows into two large machines called generators. Each generator can produce 25 Megawatts of power. Together, they create a total of 50 Megawatts. This electricity is then sent to the city of Tacoma, which is about 25 miles (40 km) north of the dam.
Just two miles downstream from Alder Dam is another important dam called LaGrande Dam. LaGrande Dam was first built in 1912. It was rebuilt in 1945, at the same time Alder Dam was being finished. Both Alder and LaGrande dams are owned and operated by Tacoma Power. This company helps provide electricity to homes and businesses in the Tacoma area.
The Town of Alder
The name of Alder Lake and Alder Dam comes from a small town that used to be in this area. This town was also called Alder. When the dam was completed in 1945, the new lake filled up. The rising water covered the old town of Alder, and it disappeared beneath the lake.
Images for kids
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Dam/Powerplant Statistics
