Nolichucky Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nolichucky Dam |
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Nolichucky Dam in the 1940s
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| Location | Greene County, Tennessee, United States |
| Coordinates | 36°03′53″N 82°52′00″W / 36.06478°N 82.86653°W |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Nolichucky River |
The Nolichucky Dam is a large structure built across the Nolichucky River. It is located near Greeneville, Tennessee. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) takes care of this dam. The dam is about 46 miles (74 km) upstream from where the Nolichucky River joins another river. It creates a lake called Davy Crockett Lake. This lake stretches about 6 miles (9.7 km) upstream from the dam.
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About Nolichucky Dam
The Nolichucky Dam is a type of dam called a concrete gravity overflow dam. This means it uses its own weight to hold back the water. It is 94 feet (29 meters) high and 482 feet (147 meters) long. The dam has a special spillway, which is a part that lets extra water flow over it.
Davy Crockett Lake
The lake created by the dam is named Davy Crockett Lake. It is named after the famous folk hero who was born nearby in 1786. This lake covers about 800 acres (320 hectares) of water.
History of the Dam
The Nolichucky Dam was built a long time ago, between 1912 and 1913. It was built by a company called the Tennessee Eastern Electric Company (TEEC). Their main goal was to generate hydroelectricity, which is electricity made from moving water.
Early Power Generation
When it was first built, the dam had two generators to make electricity. In 1923, TEEC added two more generators. Later, in 1941, another company, the East Tennessee Light & Power Company, bought the dam.
TVA Takes Over
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) bought the dam in 1945. They paid about $1.47 million for it. The TVA made many improvements to the dam. At its best, the dam could produce 10,640 kilowatts of electricity. This is enough power for many homes.
Dam's Current Use
The TVA used the dam to make electricity until 1972. After that, too much sediment (like mud and sand) built up in Davy Crockett Lake. This made it hard to keep generating electricity. Now, the dam and the lake are used for other important things. They help control floods and are also used for fun activities like recreation. The lake is also a special area for wildlife. However, the continued buildup of sediment can still cause flooding upstream.
- Archives of Appalachia - East Tennessee Light and Power Company Records
