Millers Ferry Lock and Dam

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Millers Ferry Lock and Dam
Cesam249.jpg
Aerial view of Millers Ferry Lock and Dam from the south.
Location Wilcox County, Alabama
Coordinates 32°6′3.05″N87°23′59.98″W / 32.1008472°N 87.3999944°W / 32.1008472; -87.3999944 Coordinates: 32°6′3.05″N87°23′59.98″W / 32.1008472°N 87.3999944°W / 32.1008472; -87.3999944
Construction began1963
Opening date1974
Operator(s) USACE
Dam and spillways
Impounds Alabama River
Reservoir
Creates William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir
Surface area27 sq mi (70 km2)

Millers Ferry Lock and Dam is a lock and hydroelectric dam on the Alabama River, near the community of Millers Ferry, Alabama. It was built by and continues to be operated by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Construction of the complex began in 1963 and was completed in 1974. [1] The Millers Ferry Powerhouse came on line in 1970 and has a generating capacity of 90 megawatts. [2] [3] Following a history of machinery problems and failures, major repair work on the power station was authorized in 1996. [4]

Hydroelectricity electricity generated by hydropower

Hydroelectricity is electricity produced from hydropower. In 2015, hydropower generated 16.6% of the world's total electricity and 70% of all renewable electricity, and was expected to increase by about 3.1% each year for the next 25 years.

Dam A barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface or underground streams

A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aquaculture, and navigability. Hydropower is often used in conjunction with dams to generate electricity. A dam can also be used to collect water or for storage of water which can be evenly distributed between locations. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. The earliest known dam is the Jawa Dam in Jordan, dating to 3,000 BC.

Alabama River river in the United States of America

The Alabama River, in the U.S. state of Alabama, is formed by the Tallapoosa and Coosa rivers, which unite about 6 miles (10 km) north of Montgomery, near the suburb of Wetumpka.

Millers Ferry Lock and Dam impounds the William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir. The reservoir covers 27 square miles (70 km2) and has approximately 500 miles (800 km) of shoreline. [1]

William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir

The William "Bill" Dannelly Reservoir is a reservoir created by Millers Ferry Lock and Dam on the Alabama River in Dallas County and Wilcox County in Alabama. It covers 27 square miles (70 km2) and has approximately 500 miles (800 km) of shoreline. It was named for William "Bill" Dannelly, a former Wilcox County probate judge credited with leading the modernization of the Alabama and Coosa Rivers.

Beginning in the spring of 2009, the Corps of Engineers began opening the dam's locks for a few hours each day in order to restore access to inland waters for migratory marine fish. Fish sampling in the lock is being conducted in order to determine which species are making use of the opening in order to refine the timing. [5]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 "Alabama Hydrologic Modifications". Rivers of Alabama. Archived from the original on 2008-10-04. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
  2. "Factsheet: Millers Ferry Lock and Dam" (PDF). United States Army Corps of Engineers: Mobile Division. Retrieved 2009-02-26.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. "Hydropower". United States Army Corps of Engineers: Mobile Division. Archived from the original on 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2009-02-25.
  4. "Hydroelectric Plants in Alabama". Power Plants Around The World. Retrieved 2009-02-26.
  5. Dute, Jeff and Ben Raines (April 26, 2009) "Opening lock is key to fish migration." Mobile Press-Register