Walter Bouldin Dam facts for kids
The Walter Bouldin Dam is a large dam located in Elmore County, Alabama. It's near the town of Wetumpka. This important structure helps create electricity for many homes and offers a great place for outdoor fun.
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Walter Bouldin Dam: A Giant on the Coosa River
Building the Dam
The Walter Bouldin Dam was built in 1967 by the Alabama Power Company. It's an "earthen dam," meaning it's made mostly of earth and rock. This huge dam stands about 170 feet (52 meters) tall. It stretches out for an amazing 11,178 feet (about 3.4 kilometers) across the land.
The dam holds back the waters of the Coosa River. This creates a large lake behind it. The main purpose of the dam is to make electricity. It uses the power of flowing water to generate 225 megawatts (MW) of hydroelectric power. This makes it the biggest power-generating dam owned by Alabama Power. It's also the last of seven dams Alabama Power built along the Coosa River.
Bouldin Lake: Fun on the Water
The lake created by the dam is called Bouldin Lake. It's connected by a canal to Jordan Lake. Together, they form one big body of water. This combined lake covers about 6,800 acres (2,752 hectares). It has a long shoreline of about 188 miles (303 kilometers). The lake is about 18 miles (29 kilometers) long in total.
Bouldin Lake is a fantastic spot for outdoor activities. Many people enjoy fishing here. You can catch different types of fish, including largemouth bass and spotted bass. Other popular fish include bluegill and other sunfish, crappie, and catfish. You might also find striped bass, hybrid bass, and white bass. The lake has two public spots where people can easily get to the water.
A Dam's Big Challenge
On February 10, 1975, a part of the Walter Bouldin Dam broke. This event is called a "breach." Luckily, no one was hurt during this incident. There was also no damage to any property outside of the dam itself. The dam was later repaired and continues to operate safely today.
