Conemaugh Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Conemaugh Dam |
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 Location of Conemaugh Dam in Pennsylvania
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Indiana/Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 40°28′05.04″N 79°21′58.44″W / 40.4680667°N 79.3662333°W |
| Purpose | Flood control, power |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1952 |
| Owner(s) | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Concrete gravity |
| Impounds | Conemaugh River |
| Height | 144 ft (44 m) |
| Length | 1,266 ft (386 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Conemaugh River Lake |
| Total capacity | 355,000 acre⋅ft (0.438 km3) |
| Catchment area | 1,351 sq mi (3,500 km2) |
| Power station | |
| Name | Conemaugh Hydroelectric Station |
| Coordinates | 40°27′49.85″N 79°21′57.38″W / 40.4638472°N 79.3659389°W |
| Commission date | 1989 |
| Turbines | 2 x 7 MW Kaplan-type |
| Installed capacity | 14 MW |
The Conemaugh Dam is a large concrete dam in Pennsylvania. It is also known as the Conemaugh River Dam. This important structure crosses the Conemaugh River near Saltsburg. The dam was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It opened in 1952. Its main jobs are to control floods and make electricity.
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Conemaugh Dam: Protecting Communities
The Conemaugh Dam is a special type of dam called a concrete gravity dam. This means it holds back water using its own huge weight. It is a very strong wall built across the river. The dam helps protect towns along the Conemaugh, Kiskiminetas, and Allegheny Rivers. It is one of 16 flood control dams in the Pittsburgh area.
How the Dam Helps with Floods
The dam creates a lake called Conemaugh River Lake. This lake can hold a lot of water, about 355,000 acre-feet. An acre-foot is the amount of water needed to cover one acre of land one foot deep. Normally, the lake is kept at a much lower level. This allows it to store extra water when heavy rains cause floods.
When there's a lot of rain, the dam holds back the water. Then, the water is slowly released when the rivers downstream are safe. This careful release prevents flooding in towns below the dam. From 1952 to 2013, the dam prevented about $2.2 billion in flood damage. This includes $375 million saved during Hurricane Ivan in 2004.
Making Electricity with Water
The Conemaugh Dam also helps make clean energy. It has a power station called the Conemaugh Hydroelectric Station. This station started working in 1989. It uses the force of water to create electricity.
The power station has two special machines called turbines. Each turbine can make 7 megawatts (MW) of power. Together, they can produce 14 MW of electricity. This is enough power for many homes and businesses.
Fun Around Conemaugh Lake
Next to the dam is the Conemaugh Lake National Recreation Area. This area is a great place to visit. It protects several important historical sites. You can find parts of the old Main Line Canal here. This canal used to connect Pittsburgh to Philadelphia a long time ago. It's a fun way to learn about history and enjoy nature.
