Walters Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Walters Dam |
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The Walters Dam near Waterville, North Carolina in 1928. The powerhouse sits roughly 6.2 miles downstream at the confluence of the Pigeon River and Big Creek in Waterville.
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| Country | United States |
| Location | Haywood County, North Carolina |
| Status | Operational |
| Opening date | 1930 |
| Operator(s) | Duke Energy |
Walters Dam, also known as Waterville Dam, is a large dam in western North Carolina. It is located in Haywood County, within the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains. This dam helps create electricity using the power of water.
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About Walters Dam
Walters Dam is a type of dam called a concrete arch dam. It stands about 180 feet (55 meters) high. The dam is also about 800 feet (244 meters) long. It holds back the water of the Pigeon River.
How it Makes Electricity
The dam's main job is to help make electricity. The actual power plant is not right next to the dam. It is about 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) downstream. Water from the dam travels through a long tunnel. This tunnel stretches north from the dam to the power plant. The power plant uses the moving water to generate electricity.
Building the Dam
Construction of Walters Dam started in 1927. It was finished just three years later, in 1930. The project was first started by a company called Carolina Power & Light. Another company, Phoenix Electric Co., helped complete the work.
The Community of Waterville
To help build and run the dam, Carolina Power and Light Company created a special community. This community was called Waterville. It was built at the base of a mountain. Waterville provided homes for the workers. These workers were needed to operate the power plant. The power plant uses water from the Waterville Lake reservoir.
Modern Day Use
Walters Dam is still an important part of North Carolina today. In 1980, it was recognized as a North Carolina Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. This means it is an important historical structure.
As of 2024, the dam is owned and operated by Duke Energy. It is an active hydroelectric facility. This means it continues to produce electricity. It can generate up to 112 megawatts (MW) of power. This is enough electricity for many homes and businesses.
