Lake Blalock facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lake Blalock |
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 Lake Blalock
Location in South Carolina
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| Location | Spartanburg County, South Carolina |
| Coordinates | 35°04′30″N 81°52′43″W / 35.0750°N 81.8785°W |
| Type | reservoir |
| Basin countries | United States |
| Surface area | 1,105 acres (447 ha) |
| Max. depth | 707 ft (215 m) |
Lake Blalock, also known as the H. Taylor Blalock Reservoir, is a special kind of lake in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. It's not a natural lake, but a reservoir, which means it's a large, man-made lake built to store water. This important lake helps provide drinking water for the people of Spartanburg.
It is located on the Pacolet River, about five miles north of the city of Spartanburg. The lake covers a large area, about 1,105 acres (447 ha), which is like more than 800 football fields!
Building Lake Blalock
Lake Blalock was created by building a large wall called a dam. The idea for the lake was approved in 1976. Construction of the Blalock Dam began in 1983.
The original dam was made of earth and was quite big. It stretched about 700 ft (210 m) long and stood about 70 ft (21 m) high. When it was first built, the lake had about 35 miles (56 km) of shoreline, which is a long way to walk around!
Making the Lake Bigger
Over time, more water was needed for the growing community. So, the Spartanburg Water System decided to make Lake Blalock even bigger. In 2004, they started a project to raise the lake's water level.
The project was finished in 2006. They added 10 feet (3.0 m) to the lake's height, making it hold more water. This was done by adding a strong layer of concrete to the dam. They also improved the spillway, which is like a special overflow area for water. These changes helped the lake store more water safely for everyone.
See also
