Neely Henry Lake facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Neely Henry Lake |
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Location | Calhoun / Etowah / St. Clair counties, Alabama, US |
Coordinates | 33°50′N 86°04′W / 33.84°N 86.06°W |
Type | reservoir |
Primary inflows | Coosa River |
Primary outflows | Coosa River |
Basin countries | United States |
Surface area | 11,200 acres (45 km2) |
Surface elevation | 508 ft (155 m) |
Settlements | Gadsden, Southside, Rainbow City |
Neely Henry Lake is a large lake in Alabama, United States. It was created on the Coosa River near the city of Gadsden, Alabama. This lake is a popular spot for outdoor fun and also helps make electricity for homes and businesses.
Discover Neely Henry Lake
Neely Henry Lake was formed by the Neely Henry Dam. This dam is about 57 feet (17 meters) tall. It was built by the Alabama Power Company in 1966. The main reasons for building the dam were to create hydroelectric power and provide a place for people to enjoy water activities.
Building the Dam
The Neely Henry Dam and the lake were finished on June 2, 1966. They were named after H. Neely Henry. He was a very important leader at Alabama Power. The dam is powerful enough to create 72,900 kilowatts of electricity. This is enough power for many homes!
Fun on the Lake
Neely Henry Lake is a fantastic place for recreation. It has about 339 miles (546 kilometers) of shoreline. This means there's lots of space for everyone to enjoy the water.
- Fishing: The lake is known for its great fishing. You can catch many types of fish here. Some popular ones include largemouth bass, spotted bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish. You might also find striped bass and white bass.
- Public Access: Alabama Power has made it easy for people to visit the lake. They maintain three public spots where you can get to the water.
Lake Facts and Figures
The lake covers a large area of 11,200 acres (about 45.3 square kilometers). This makes it a big playground for boats and swimmers. The total amount of water the lake can hold is 129,800 acre-feet.
The towns closest to the dam are Ohatchee, Alabama to the east and Ragland, Alabama to the west.