Bankhead Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bankhead Lake |
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Bankhead Lock and Dam. Holt Lake is visible directly below the dam (top), while Bankhead Lake is behind the dam (bottom). View is downriver to the west.
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 Bankhead Lake
Location in Alabama
Bankhead Lake
Location in the United States
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| Location | Jefferson / Tuscaloosa / Walker counties, Alabama, US |
| Coordinates | 33°27′40″N 87°21′11″W / 33.461°N 87.353°W |
| Type | Reservoir |
| Primary inflows | Black Warrior River |
| Primary outflows | Holt Lake |
| Basin countries | United States |
Bankhead Lake is a large, man-made lake in Alabama. It's called a reservoir because it was created by building a dam across the Black Warrior River. The lake starts in Walker County and forms the border between Jefferson and Tuscaloosa County. Bankhead Lake eventually flows into another lake called Holt Lake.
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What is Bankhead Lake?
Bankhead Lake is an important part of Alabama's waterways. It was created by the Bankhead Lock and Dam. This dam helps control the river's flow and allows boats to travel safely.
Who Manages the Lake and Dam?
The United States Army Corps of Engineers is in charge of the Bankhead Lock and Dam. They are a government group that builds and manages many important water projects. Next to the dam, there's a power plant run by the Alabama Power Company. This plant uses the water from the lake to make electricity. Both the lake and the dam are named after John H. Bankhead, a famous senator from Alabama.
How Big is Bankhead Lake?
Bankhead Lake can hold a lot of water! It has a capacity of about 296,000 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land with water one foot deep. That's a huge amount of water, showing how important this lake is for the area.
History of Bankhead Dam
The original Bankhead Dam was built a long time ago, in 1915. It was one of 17 dams built to help boats travel along the river all the way from Mobile to Birmingham.
Building the Power Plant
Later, in 1963, the Alabama Power Company added a special facility to the dam. This facility uses the force of the water to create electricity. This process is called hydroelectric power.
A New Dam for Safety
By 1969, the original Bankhead Dam was one of the last old dams still in use. Engineers realized it wasn't as safe as it needed to be and was at risk of collapsing. So, a new, stronger lock and dam were built. The new lock was finished in 1975. It is 77 feet tall and 1,400 feet long. Some parts of the very first dam still exist today, but they are not open to the public.
