Cowans Ford Hydroelectric Station facts for kids
The Cowans Ford Hydroelectric Station is a special kind of power plant that uses water to make electricity. It's built right next to a large dam near Huntersville, North Carolina. This area is about 20 miles north of Charlotte, right on the edge of Lake Norman.
This station is the biggest of its kind owned by Duke Energy. It can create a lot of power, up to 350 megawatts! That's enough electricity for many homes and businesses.
Making Electricity with Water
The Cowans Ford station started making electricity in stages. The first three power-generating units began working in 1963. A fourth unit was added a few years later, starting up in 1967.
These units are important because they provide "peaking power." This means they create extra electricity when people need it most. Think about really hot summer days when everyone is using air conditioning, or very cold winter mornings when heaters are on. That's when Cowans Ford steps in to help meet the high demand for power.
Lake Norman: A Man-Made Wonder
The Cowans Ford Dam is what holds back the Catawba River to create Lake Norman. This lake is the largest man-made body of fresh water in all of North Carolina. It's a huge reservoir!
Lake Norman is not just for making electricity. It also provides drinking water to several nearby communities. These include Lincoln County and the towns of Davidson, Mooresville, Charlotte, and Huntersville. The lake was named after Norman Cocke, who used to be the president of Duke Power.
