Jocassee Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jocassee Dam |
|
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Location | Pickens/Oconee Counties, South Carolina |
| Coordinates | 34°57′36″N 82°55′10″W / 34.96000°N 82.91944°W |
| Opening date | 1973 |
| Owner(s) | Duke Energy |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Embankment |
| Impounds | Keowee River |
| Height | 385 ft (117 m) |
| Length | 1,800 ft (550 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Jocassee |
| Total capacity | 1,185,000 acre⋅ft (1.462 km3) |
| Catchment area | 148 sq mi (380 km2) |
| Power station | |
| Commission date | 1973–1975 |
| Turbines | 4 |
| Installed capacity | 710 MW (950,000 hp) |
| Annual generation | 811 GWh (2,920 TJ) |
The Jocassee Dam is a huge wall built across the Keowee River in South Carolina, USA. It sits between Pickens and Oconee counties. This amazing dam creates a large lake called Lake Jocassee.
The main jobs of Jocassee Dam are to make electricity and help control floods. It is part of a bigger project called the Keowee-Toxaway Hydroelectric Project. A company called Duke Energy owns and runs this important dam.
Contents
Jocassee Dam: A Giant Power Maker
The Jocassee Dam is an embankment dam. This means it is built from layers of earth and rock. It is very tall, standing about 385 feet (117 meters) high. That's taller than a 30-story building! The dam is also very long, stretching about 1,800 feet (549 meters) across the river.
What is Jocassee Dam?
The dam was finished in 1973. It holds back the waters of the Keowee River. This creates the beautiful and deep Lake Jocassee. Several other rivers, like the Toxaway and Thompson rivers, also flow into Lake Jocassee.
When the lake is full, it can hold a huge amount of water. It covers about 7,500 acres (3,035 hectares) of land. The shoreline of the lake is about 75 miles (121 kilometers) long.
How the Dam Was Built
Building a dam like Jocassee takes a lot of work. It is made of packed earth and rock. This strong design helps it hold back the massive amount of water in the lake.
If there's too much water, like during heavy rains, the dam has a special way to release it. This is called a spillway. The spillway has two large gates that can open. They can let out a lot of water very quickly to prevent flooding.
Making Electricity: Pumped Storage Power
The Jocassee Dam is home to a big power station. This station uses the water from the lake to make electricity. It has four large machines called turbines. Two of these turbines started working in 1973. The other two began making power in 1975.
This power station uses a special method called pumped-storage hydroelectricity. It's designed to provide "peaking power." This means it can quickly make extra electricity when people need it most, like on hot summer afternoons. The station makes about 811 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year.
How Pumped Storage Works
- When there is low demand for electricity, the power plant uses extra power from other sources.
- This power is used to pump water from a lower lake back up into Lake Jocassee.
- When electricity is needed, the water is released from Lake Jocassee.
- The falling water spins the turbines, which then create electricity.
Lake Jocassee: The Dam's Big Lake
Lake Jocassee is a very important part of the dam's operation. It acts like a giant battery for the power plant. The lake is also known for its clear water and beautiful natural surroundings. It is a popular spot for outdoor activities.
Fun Fact: Dam on Screen
The Jocassee Dam was even featured in a movie! It was shown while it was still being built in the 1972 thriller film Deliverance.
