Philpott Dam facts for kids
Philpott Dam is a large concrete dam in Virginia, USA. It sits on the Smith River, between Franklin and Henry counties. This dam creates a big lake called Philpott Lake. It's about 44 miles from where the Smith River ends. The town of Bassett, Virginia is about 7 miles downstream.
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Why Philpott Dam Was Built
Philpott Dam was built for three main reasons. First, it helps control floods along the Smith River. This protects homes and farms from too much water. Second, it makes electricity using the power of water. This is called hydroelectric power. Third, the dam and lake provide many fun things to do.
The Philpott Dam Powerhouse started making electricity in 1953. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers manages the entire Philpott project.
How the Dam Works
The dam has a few important parts. It has a spillway, which is like a giant overflow channel. This lets extra water flow out safely. The dam also has a powerhouse and a switchyard. The top of Philpott Dam is 1016 feet high. It is about 920 feet long. The tallest part of the dam is 220 feet above the riverbed.
Inside the powerhouse, there are special machines called Francis turbines. These turbines spin when water rushes through them. This spinning motion helps create electricity. There are two large turbines and one smaller one.
Fun at Philpott Lake
Philpott Lake is a great place for outdoor activities. There are many parks around the lake where people can visit. These parks offer places for picnics, camping, and enjoying nature.
Some of the parks include Philpott Park, Bowens Creek Park, and Goose Point Park. You can also find Ryans Park, Jamison Mill Park, and Horseshoe Point Park. Twin Ridge Park, Salthouse Branch Park, and Tailrace Park are also popular spots. These parks are located all around the lake.
Art and History of the Dam
Philpott Dam is not just for water control and power. It is also a very beautiful place. Many artists and photographers have captured its beauty.
A local artist named Jessamine Shumate painted the dam while it was being built. She made two watercolor paintings. These paintings are special because they show a temporary cement factory. This factory was built right there to make cement for the dam. After the dam was finished, the factory was taken down.
Jessamine Shumate's paintings are unique. Most other photos from that time focused on the dam itself. Her artwork shows the engineering work behind the scenes. In 2010, her family gave these paintings to Philpott Dam. They are a wonderful way to see how much work went into building this important structure.
