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However, since water is pumped between the reservoirs equally, the only water taken from these creeks now that the reservoirs are full is to replace the water lost to evaporation. During operation, the water level fluctuates by over 105 feet (30 m) in the upper reservoir and 60 feet (20 m) feet in the lower reservoir.
The dam produces hydro-electric power mostly during hours of peak demand on the American Electric Power system. Water passes from Smith Mountain Lake through generators to Leesville Lake, producing power. In times of low demand, the generators are used as pumps to reverse the flow and return the water to Smith Mountain Lake.
Tainter gate from the back, or spillway, on the John H. Kerr Dam, Boydton, Virginia (USACE) Construction of the John H. Kerr dam was authorized by the 78th United States Congress in 1944 with the Flood Control Act of 1944 but did not commence until 1947. The site was selected because of the granite in the area that could support a large ...
The dam is 250 feet (76 m) high and 916 feet (279 m) long. The earth-filled dam is constructed of rock with a central clay core, which prevents water from passing through the dam. A 1,145-acre (463 ha) lake is formed behind the dam with almost 40 miles (64 km) of shoreline. South of the dam is the emergency spillway.
The dam serves flood control and recreational purposes and is operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. [2] The Gathright Dam's intake tower contains nine portals that allow it to release water between reservoir depths of 12 to 87 feet (3.7 to 26.5 m). This allows the dam to manage the temperature and flow of water released downstream. [3]
On February 23, 2004, the 770 ft (230 m) long, 1910 hydroelectric Embrey Dam was demolished, using 600 lb (270 kg) of explosives, by divers from an engineering detachment at Fort Eustis. [2] The aim of removal was to re-open miles of spawning grounds to aid populations of American Shad , herring, catadromous American eel, and other species. [ 3 ]
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