Stevenson Dam Hydroelectric Plant facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Stevenson Dam Hydroelectric Plant
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Stevenson Dam
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 Location in Connecticut
Location in the United States
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| Location | Housatonic River at Monroe and Oxford |
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| Area | 7.6 acres (3.1 ha) |
| Built | 1917 |
| Architect | Birkinbine Engineering Office; et al. |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 00001073 |
| Added to NRHP | September 29, 2000 |
The Stevenson Dam Hydroelectric Plant is a special kind of power plant that uses the power of moving water to create electricity. It's located on the Housatonic River between the towns of Monroe and Oxford, Connecticut. This plant was built way back in 1917 by a company called Connecticut Light and Power. Today, it's owned by FirstLight Power.
In 2000, the Stevenson Dam was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site in the United States. The plant includes three main parts: the Stevenson Dam itself, the Stevenson Dam Bridge, and the Stevenson Powerhouse. When the dam was built, it held back the Housatonic River, creating a large lake called Lake Zoar, which has 27 miles of shoreline. The plant was also studied as part of the Historic American Engineering Record (HAER), which documents important engineering achievements.
Contents
What is the Stevenson Dam?
The Stevenson Dam is a large structure that blocks the flow of the Housatonic River. It was completed in 1917. Dams like this are built to control water and create a reservoir, which is like a big, artificial lake. In this case, the reservoir created by the Stevenson Dam is Lake Zoar.
How Hydroelectric Power Works
A hydroelectric plant like Stevenson Dam uses the force of water to make electricity. Here's how it generally works:
- Water from the lake flows through large pipes called penstocks.
- This fast-moving water spins giant turbines, which are like big propellers.
- The spinning turbines are connected to generators.
- The generators then convert the motion into electricity.
- This electricity is sent out through power lines to homes and businesses.
The Stevenson Dam Bridge
The Stevenson Dam Bridge is a unique part of the dam. It's a strong bridge made of reinforced concrete that is built right into the dam structure. This bridge carries Route 34, a busy road, across the Housatonic River. So, when you drive over the bridge, you're actually driving over part of the dam!
The Stevenson Powerhouse
The Stevenson Powerhouse is the building where the electricity is actually made. It's a very large building, about 160 feet long and 80 feet wide, and it stands 131 feet tall. The outside of the building has big, strong columns called pilasters, which give it a classic look.
Power Generation Over Time
The hydroelectric plant started making electricity in 1919. Back then, it had three turbine-generator units that could produce a total of 19 megawatts (MW) of power. A megawatt is a unit of power, and 1 MW can power about 750 homes!
Later, in 1936, a fourth unit was added, which could produce another 12 MW. Over the years, the plant has been improved, and now it can produce a total of 28.9 MW of power. This means it's still a very important source of clean energy for the area.
