Wilson Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wilson Dam |
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View of Wilson Dam from the power house end of the dam.
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| Location | Shoals Area, Alabama |
| Coordinates | 34°48′03″N 87°37′33″W / 34.80083°N 87.62583°W |
| Construction began | 1918 |
| Opening date | 1924 |
| Construction cost | $47,000,000 |
| Operator(s) | TVA |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Tennessee River |
| Height | 137 ft (42 m) |
| Length | 4,541 ft (1,384 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Wilson Lake |
| Total capacity | 640,200 acre⋅ft (789,700,000 m3) |
| Surface area | 15,500 acres (6,300 ha) |
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Wilson Dam
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 Location in Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Nearest city | Florence, Alabama |
| Area | 20 acres (8.1 ha) |
| Built | 1925 |
| Architect | Army Corps of Engineers |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000147 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | November 13, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | November 13, 1966 |
The Wilson Dam is a large dam that crosses the Tennessee River in Alabama, USA. It connects Lauderdale County and Colbert County. The United States Army Corps of Engineers finished building it in 1924.
This dam creates Wilson Lake. It is one of nine dams on the Tennessee River managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Wilson Dam was named a National Historic Landmark in 1966. This was because it was the first dam to be managed by the TVA. The dam is named after former President of the United States Woodrow Wilson.
Contents
About Wilson Dam
Wilson Dam is located on the Tennessee River at river mile 259.4. It stretches across the river between Florence and Muscle Shoals in northern Alabama. The dam is 137 feet (42 m) tall. It is also 4,541 feet (1,384 m) long. Building the dam cost almost $47 million.
The main lock at Wilson Dam is 110 feet (34 m) wide and 600 feet (180 m) long. This lock can lift boats 94 feet (29 m). It is the tallest single-lift lock east of the Rocky Mountains. Another smaller lock has two chambers, each 60 feet (18 m) wide and 300 feet (91 m) long. These chambers work together. More than 3,700 boats and barges pass through Wilson Dam's locks every year.
Power Generation
Wilson Dam can produce 663 megawatts of electricity each day. This makes it an important source of power.
History of Wilson Dam
The idea for Wilson Dam came from a difficult part of the Tennessee River called Muscle Shoals. This area had dangerous shallow spots and strong currents. These conditions made it hard for boats to travel. Many attempts were made to control the shoals in the late 1800s. These efforts included building a canal around the area.
Building for World War I
The final push to build the dam came before the First World War. US officials worried that the German Navy could stop the supply of nitrates. Nitrates were needed to make explosives. They mostly came from Chile. The National Defense Act of 1916 ordered two nitrate plants to be built. These plants would be powered by a nearby hydroelectric plant. This would create a local supply of nitrates. Engineers chose Muscle Shoals because it had the best potential for hydroelectric power east of the Rocky Mountains.
The Army Corps of Engineers started building Wilson Dam in 1918. Hugh L. Cooper oversaw the work. At the time, it was the largest hydroelectric project in the world. During construction, the site became like a small city. Over 18,000 workers were employed there. It had many temporary and permanent buildings. It also had miles of pipes and electrical wires. The workers' dining halls served over 20,000 meals daily. There was even a school for 850 students, barbershops, and a hospital. However, the dam was not finished by the end of the war in 1919.
Debates and Decisions
After the war, interest in the dam decreased. Congress did not want to spend more money on public projects. But they also did not want to waste the millions already spent. The Secretary of War, John Weeks, looked for private companies to finish the project.
In 1921, Henry Ford offered to lease the dam for 99 years for $5 million. He promised to finish the dam and build a new one. Ford also planned to create a city in Muscle Shoals. He wanted it to be the "Detroit of the South." He would use the dam's power to fuel new industries there. Many people and the House of Representatives supported Ford's idea.
However, Senator George Norris believed the dam should stay public. He thought it would help more people if it was part of a large public project. Norris's plan would help with flooding, soil erosion, and lack of electricity in the Tennessee Valley. Norris stopped Ford's plan in the Senate. Ford eventually gave up his offer in 1924 because of the delays.
Completion and the TVA
Construction of the dam was finally finished in 1924. The first unit to generate electricity started working in September 1925. The completed dam and locks allowed boats to travel freely through Muscle Shoals. For several years, only 40 percent of the dam's electricity-generating power was used.
The debate over the dam's use continued through the 1920s. President Herbert Hoover vetoed Norris's plan in 1931. But things changed with the Great Depression and the election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1932. After his election, President Roosevelt visited the dam. He supported Norris's public works plan. In 1933, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was created. Wilson Dam became a key part of the new agency's plans.
The TVA and Wilson Dam brought electricity to thousands of homes. This was part of the TVA's goal to bring power to rural areas. It also helped improve living standards and create new jobs. Wilson Dam was also the first headquarters for the TVA. Later, the headquarters moved to Knoxville, Tennessee.
Wartime and Modern Use
The nitrate plants that Wilson Dam was built to power were used to make fertilizer in the 1930s. During the Second World War, Wilson Dam was finally used for its original purpose. The nitrate and phosphorus plants made supplies for the war effort. These plants continued to produce materials for the United States military during the Cold War.
In 1959, a new lock was built at Wilson Dam. It was the largest single-chamber lock in the world at that time. Today, it remains the largest single-chamber lock in the eastern United States. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy visited the dam in 1963. He spoke about the success of the TVA and Wilson Dam. In 1966, Wilson Dam was named a National Historic Landmark.
Today, Wilson Dam is one of 29 hydroelectric dams in the TVA System. These dams help control floods, allow boats to travel, produce electricity, and offer recreation. Wilson Dam is the largest conventional power facility in the TVA System. Over 3,600 boats pass through its locks each year. The dam also serves as a training center for all TVA hydroelectric workers. Wilson Lake has 166 miles (267 km) of shoreline and 15,500 acres (6,300 ha) of water. It is a popular spot for outdoor activities. The nearby area has hiking trails and campgrounds.
Gallery
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Construction of Wilson Dam taking place around 1919. Jackson Island, seen in the background, is now covered by Lake Wilson.
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Wilson Dam construction around 1919.
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Wilson Lock and Dam on the Tennessee River at Florence, Alabama
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Barge exiting the main lock at Wilson Dam in 1982.
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Fish catch downstream of Wilson Dam in 1940.
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Wilson Dam Auxiliary Locks in 1982.
See also
In Spanish: Presa Wilson para niños
