Dix Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dix Dam |
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 Location of Dix Dam in Kentucky
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| Location | Mercer and Garrard County, Kentucky |
| Coordinates | 37°47′07″N 84°42′14″W / 37.78528°N 84.70389°W |
| Construction began | 1923 |
| Opening date | 1927 |
| Operator(s) | Kentucky Utilities |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Dix River |
| Height | 287 ft (87 m) |
| Length | 1,087 ft (331 m) |
| Width (base) | 750 ft (230 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Herrington Lake |
| Total capacity | 537,000 acre⋅ft (662,000,000 m3) |
| Surface area | 2,335 acres (945 ha) |
The Dix Dam is a large dam built on the Dix River in Kentucky. It sits between Mercer and Garrard County, Kentucky. This dam was built to make hydroelectricity, which is power from water. It also helps stop floods on the Kentucky River. But it's most famous for creating Herrington Lake.
Building the Dam: A Look Back
Why Dix Dam Was Built
Dix Dam was constructed to create a big lake. This lake would hold water for a power plant that makes electricity from water. The dam also helped control floods on the Kentucky River. It held back water in Herrington Lake during times when the river might overflow.
When Construction Happened
Work on the dam started in the fall of 1923. The dam began holding water on March 17, 1925. The whole project was finished, and power started flowing in October 1927. Building the dam cost more than US $7 million.
Who Owns Dix Dam?
The Dix Dam was built by a private company called Kentucky Utilities. Because of this, Kentucky Utilities owns the land under Herrington Lake. They also own the dam itself.
How Big is Dix Dam?
When it was built, Dix Dam was the largest rock-filled dam in the world! The top of the dam is 287 feet (87 m) high above the riverbed. It stretches 1,087 feet (331 m) across. The top of the dam is 24 feet (7.3 m) wide, and its base is much wider at 750 feet (230 m).
About Herrington Lake
Herrington Lake is the deepest lake in Kentucky. It is about 35 miles (56 km) long and can be up to 1,200 feet (370 m) wide. The lake covers 2,335 acres (945 ha) of land. Its shoreline stretches for 325 miles (523 km). The deepest part of the lake is near the Dix Dam, reaching 249 feet (76 m) deep. On average, the lake is 78 feet (24 m) deep. It can hold a huge amount of water, about 175,000,000,000 US gallons (660,000,000 m3).
Growing the Power Plant
The power plant at Dix Dam was first made to produce 30 megawatts of power. Over time, more power plants were built nearby. This whole area became known as the E. W. Brown Generating Station. In 1957, a generator that burns coal was added to the Brown Plant. More recently, new power units called combustion turbines were added. These six units can run on natural gas or fuel oil. Four more of these units are planned for the future.
Controlling the Power
Since the 1920s, Kentucky Utilities has had its main control center inside the Dix Dam plant. In 1954, they built a new control center close to the dam. This center has been updated many times and now uses modern computers to control the power system.
Helping Fish Thrive
In 1991, Kentucky Utilities built a special "fish ladder" in the Dix River. This was part of a project to help fish. The goal was to protect and increase the number of trout fish in the Dix River.
Dix Dam Today
How the Hydroelectric Plant Works Now
The original hydroelectric plant is mostly used when there's a lot of rain. This causes the lake level to be higher than normal. The plant was fully updated in 2010. Now, all three of its units can produce up to 33 megawatts of power.
Coal Power at Brown Station
The three generators that burn coal can make 700 megawatts of electricity. This is more than one-fifth of all the power Kentucky Utilities produces! On average, the Brown Station burns about 15,000,000 short tons (1.4×1010 kg) of coal each year.
Quick Power from Turbines
Four of the combustion turbine units can each deliver 110 megawatts of power. The other two units can each produce 164 megawatts. These turbines are very useful when a lot of electricity is needed quickly. They can start up and reach full power in just 30 minutes!
