543:
619:
633:
884:
661:
647:
49:
29:
44:
533:
from South
Carolina. In response, a group of Georgia legislators introduced an eventually unsuccessful bill to rename the lake as "Clarks Hill" once again. On April 4, 1989 the State of Georgia legislature passed House Resolution No. 115 making "Clarks Hill" the official state name for both the dam
444:
with 124 ft. booms. In 1948, after the foundation was excavated, workers began to pour concrete on site for the spillway. In 1949, initial work on the concrete spillway was completed; the original coffer dam was removed and a second cofferdam was installed in order to restore the flow of the
469:
Since completion, the J. Strom
Thurmond dam has prevented an estimated $ 185,000 annually in flood damages. In one specific case, the dam decreased the height of the March 1964 flood from 38 feet (12 m) to 25 feet (7.6 m) at Augusta, where the flood stage is 32 feet (9.8 m). The dam
465:
to transport on site. By July 1951, the reservoir began to fill as most of the embankment part of the dam was complete and filling would finish in
October 1952. By November 1952, the first generator was operating and began transferring power to South Carolina early the next year. The six remaining
491:
and a subsequent low-demand for electricity. While the USACE and officials from
Georgia were negotiating a plan for the dam in the mid-to-late 1930s, the SREC assured them that they would not interfere. However, during the short construction halt in late 1946, the SREC did in fact reapply for the
435:
had halted funding for many government programs in order to handle a post-Second World War depressed economy. In 1947, diversion of the
Savannah River and construction of a coffer dam began while the contract for the actual dam was awarded. The construction plant for the dam was also completed in
478:
The USACE encountered several problems when constructing the Clark Hill project. The most serious was a conflict with the
Savannah River Electric Company (SREC) over the power rights of the Clark Hill project. The SREC had acquired a permit from the
500:. Dondero introduced a bill that would allow the USACE to build the dam's embankment and allow SREC to build, own and operate the powerhouse. The bill was defeated and SREC announced it would no longer fight for the Clark Hill project or any other
550:
The J. Strom
Thurmond Dam's power-house is a concrete-gravity structure that is flanked by embankment dams for a total length of one mile. The concrete section is 1,096 feet (334 m) long and is 200 feet (61 m) high from the Savannah's
427:
with Public Law 534 in 1944. A clerical error at the time named the project "Clark Hill" instead of "Clarks Hill". The final report on the Upper
Savannah Basin was issued in 1946 and initial construction began soon thereafter on August 1.
419:'s blessing in a 1935 plan. Roosevelt ordered a feasibility study to be done on the Clark Hill Project amongst other dams in the plan. The results were sent back to the President in 1937 and other reviews were conducted until focus on the
392:. In 1933, the USACE completed the report for the entire Savannah River Basin that recommended against government flood control development of the basin but did propose two hydropower dams in the upper Savannah Basin, the Clark Hill and
944:
328:
with an installed 380 MW capacity. The Dam has prevented over $ 3.1 million in estimated flood damage annually and also provides recreation, water quality, water supply, along with fish and wildlife management.
449:
in the spillway structure. Concrete operations on the main part of the dam had halted in 1949 because of a steel-strike but resumed in 1950 and much of the spillway was completed by the end of the year.
929:
954:
497:
949:
979:
959:
344:. The USACE developed the Christopher D. Spiller pollinator trail in the site of housing for workers during the construction of the dam. They are also helping restore the
340:. Originally accepted in Georgia, the dam is named after revolutionary war hero, Elijah Clark, who is also buried on the western banks of the lake on acreage that is now
969:
585:. Each turbine weighs 300 tons and has a 30-foot (9.1 m) diameter. The generators are fed with water by seven 214-foot (65 m), 20-inch-wide (510 mm)
466:
generators went online between 1953 and 1954. The project was completed at a cost of US $ 78.5 million compared to the estimated cost of US $ 35.3 million in 1944.
984:
857:
679:
597:
that help maintaining a normal 330 ft MSL lake elevation and flooding. The dam's 700,000,000 kW·h annual production of electricity is managed by the
376:. His report was overlooked until the 1927 Rivers and Harbors Act allowed the USACE to investigate development of the Savannah River for the purpose of
423:
slowed the approval process. The next comprehensive study on the Upper
Savannah Basin was not completed until 1943 but the project was authorized by
564:
674:
934:
349:
830:
788:
80:
403:
and prior efforts by local leaders in
Augusta were instrumental in gaining approval. Support from the USACE along with Georgia Senators
974:
724:
767:
492:
license. In 1947, the Federal Power Commission denied the SREC the license but the company gained support from Michigan Representative
850:
604:
598:
64:
964:
939:
908:
542:
412:
324:. The concrete structure of the dam spans 1,096 feet (334 m) and rises 204 feet (62 m) above the riverbed, housing a
741:
470:
also helps maintain the 9-foot (2.7 m) navigation channel near Augusta along with reducing silt in the channel by 22%.
903:
843:
457:
had been awarded a year prior. Construction on the powerhouse would lag initially because materials were needed for the
365:
309:
139:
624:
400:
52:
480:
60:
522:. In 1987, however, the U.S. Congress passed a South Carolina-sponsored bill to rename the dam and lake after
666:
461:
but by July 1952, 60% of the powerhouse was complete. Each generator required for the power house needed 32
353:
341:
301:
56:
487:
dam at the Clark Hill site. In 1932, the SREC surrendered the license because of conditions imposed by the
893:
572:
424:
416:
638:
582:
530:
337:
289:
261:
453:
In late 1950, contracts for construction of the powerhouse were awarded and the contracts for the 7
556:
513:
408:
293:
189:
764:
527:
454:
368:(USACE) Savannah Office issued a survey report that recommended the construction of dams on the
229:
785:
567:. The dam is 239.5 miles (385.4 km) upstream of the Savannah's mouth and combines with the
493:
721:
579:
488:
484:
420:
404:
377:
373:
317:
277:
792:
728:
432:
870:
560:
523:
501:
369:
333:
297:
285:
281:
273:
242:
196:
154:
923:
771:
385:
345:
313:
219:
68:
888:
652:
594:
568:
441:
393:
698:
U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: J. Strom Thurmond Dam
660:
446:
440:
that would be transported anywhere on the construction site via three-revolving
325:
697:
614:
458:
389:
381:
321:
835:
399:
Construction on the Clarks Hill project was not authorized until 1944 by the
95:
82:
646:
804:
590:
586:
437:
269:
235:
28:
552:
462:
165:
578:
The dam helps provide electricity during peak-hours with seven 40-MW
765:
Clarks Hill or Lake Thurmond? The answer depends on your home state
541:
431:
Construction was at first ceased until November 1946 as President
786:
Army Corps of Engineers J. Strom Thurmond Lake and Dam Hydropower
839:
575:(1985) in order to form over 120 miles (190 km) of lakes.
866:
722:
Army Corps of Engineers J. Strom Thurmond Lake and Dam History
305:
248:
445:
Savannah River to its original channel but now through eight-
945:
Buildings and structures in McCormick County, South Carolina
742:"USACE opens new trail for pollinators and longleaf pines"
498:
U.S. House Committee on Public Works and Transportation
304:
on the Georgia side of the state line) cross it. The
930:
Buildings and structures in Columbia County, Georgia
555:. The dam created the 71,000-acre (29,000 ha)
241:
228:
218:
213:
205:
195:
185:
180:
172:
160:
150:
145:
135:
127:
119:
111:
74:
38:
21:
955:Hydroelectric power plants in Georgia (U.S. state)
332:Since 1988, the official name of the dam is after
559:which stretches 29.4 miles (47.3 km) up the
805:"Generation – Southeastern Power Administration"
348:on the site and around the dam which includes
851:
680:List of dams and reservoirs in South Carolina
364:In 1890, Lieutenant Oberlin M. Carter of the
8:
950:Hydroelectric power plants in South Carolina
603:Electricity from the dam is marketed by the
980:1954 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)
514:Lake Strom Thurmond § Renaming of lake
342:Elijah Clark State Park and Recreation Area
960:United States Army Corps of Engineers dams
858:
844:
836:
781:
779:
717:
715:
713:
711:
709:
707:
705:
312:between 1946 and 1954 for the purposes of
27:
18:
415:were important towards getting President
483:in 1928 to construct, own and operate a
970:Energy infrastructure completed in 1954
690:
276:located 22 miles (35 km) north of
675:List of dams and reservoirs in Georgia
201:6,144 sq mi (15,910 km)
985:1954 establishments in South Carolina
436:1947, containing equipment to create
7:
831:USACE J. Strom Thurmond Dam and Lake
538:Dam and power plant characteristics
14:
605:Southeastern Power Administration
599:Southeastern Power Administration
563:and 17 miles (27 km) up the
882:
659:
645:
631:
617:
372:in order to prevent flooding in
65:McCormick County, South Carolina
47:
42:
899:J. Strom Thurmond (Clarks Hill)
518:Until 1988, the dam was called
1:
209:71,100 acres (28,800 ha)
935:Dams in Georgia (U.S. state)
740:Hale, Riley (May 21, 2021).
496:who was the chairman of the
366:U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
310:U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
140:U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
625:Georgia (U.S. state) portal
1001:
975:Dams on the Savannah River
534:and associated reservoir.
511:
16:Dam in South Carolina, USA
877:
26:
481:Federal Power Commission
411:and Georgia Congressman
360:History and construction
61:Columbia County, Georgia
667:Renewable energy portal
302:Georgia State Route 150
230:Installed capacity
112:Construction began
965:Dams completed in 1954
940:Dams in South Carolina
573:Richard B. Russell Dam
547:
508:Dam naming controversy
474:Construction obstacles
243:Annual generation
128:Construction cost
545:
417:Franklin D. Roosevelt
354:longleaf pine habitat
258:J. Strom Thurmond Dam
96:33.66083°N 82.19972°W
33:J. Strom Thurmond Dam
22:J. Strom Thurmond Dam
639:United States portal
557:Lake Strom Thurmond
294:Lake Strom Thurmond
197:Catchment area
190:Lake Strom Thurmond
101:33.66083; -82.19972
92: /
894:Richard B. Russell
791:2009-12-05 at the
727:2009-12-27 at the
548:
917:
916:
494:George A. Dondero
308:was built by the
284:at the border of
255:
254:
206:Surface area
164:200 feet (61 m) (
146:Dam and spillways
120:Opening date
992:
887:
886:
885:
860:
853:
846:
837:
819:
818:
816:
815:
801:
795:
783:
774:
762:
756:
755:
753:
752:
737:
731:
719:
700:
695:
669:
664:
663:
655:
650:
649:
641:
636:
635:
634:
627:
622:
621:
620:
589:, and the dam's
580:hydroelectricity
504:Basin projects.
489:Great Depression
485:hydroelectricity
421:Second World War
405:Walter F. George
378:hydroelectricity
374:Augusta, Georgia
350:Piedmont prairie
318:hydroelectricity
278:Augusta, Georgia
260:, also known in
176:1 mile (1.73 km)
107:
106:
104:
103:
102:
97:
93:
90:
89:
88:
85:
51:
50:
46:
45:
31:
19:
1000:
999:
995:
994:
993:
991:
990:
989:
920:
919:
918:
913:
883:
881:
873:
864:
827:
822:
813:
811:
803:
802:
798:
793:Wayback Machine
784:
777:
763:
759:
750:
748:
739:
738:
734:
729:Wayback Machine
720:
703:
696:
692:
688:
665:
658:
651:
644:
637:
632:
630:
623:
618:
616:
613:
571:(1962) and the
540:
520:Clarks Hill Dam
516:
510:
476:
433:Harry S. Truman
409:Richard Russell
362:
320:and downstream
266:Clarks Hill Dam
100:
98:
94:
91:
86:
83:
81:
79:
78:
48:
43:
34:
17:
12:
11:
5:
998:
996:
988:
987:
982:
977:
972:
967:
962:
957:
952:
947:
942:
937:
932:
922:
921:
915:
914:
912:
911:
906:
901:
896:
891:
878:
875:
874:
871:Savannah River
865:
863:
862:
855:
848:
840:
834:
833:
826:
825:External links
823:
821:
820:
796:
775:
770:2012-07-18 at
757:
732:
701:
689:
687:
684:
683:
682:
677:
671:
670:
656:
642:
628:
612:
609:
561:Savannah River
539:
536:
528:segregationist
526:, a long-time
524:Strom Thurmond
509:
506:
502:Savannah River
475:
472:
370:Savannah River
361:
358:
334:Strom Thurmond
298:U.S. Route 221
286:South Carolina
282:Savannah River
274:embankment dam
253:
252:
245:
239:
238:
232:
226:
225:
222:
216:
215:
211:
210:
207:
203:
202:
199:
193:
192:
187:
183:
182:
178:
177:
174:
170:
169:
162:
158:
157:
155:Savannah River
152:
148:
147:
143:
142:
137:
133:
132:
131:$ 78.5 million
129:
125:
124:
121:
117:
116:
113:
109:
108:
76:
72:
71:
40:
36:
35:
32:
24:
23:
15:
13:
10:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
997:
986:
983:
981:
978:
976:
973:
971:
968:
966:
963:
961:
958:
956:
953:
951:
948:
946:
943:
941:
938:
936:
933:
931:
928:
927:
925:
910:
907:
905:
904:Stevens Creek
902:
900:
897:
895:
892:
890:
880:
879:
876:
872:
868:
861:
856:
854:
849:
847:
842:
841:
838:
832:
829:
828:
824:
810:
806:
800:
797:
794:
790:
787:
782:
780:
776:
773:
772:archive.today
769:
766:
761:
758:
747:
743:
736:
733:
730:
726:
723:
718:
716:
714:
712:
710:
708:
706:
702:
699:
694:
691:
685:
681:
678:
676:
673:
672:
668:
662:
657:
654:
648:
643:
640:
629:
626:
615:
610:
608:
606:
601:
600:
596:
595:tainter gates
592:
588:
584:
581:
576:
574:
570:
566:
562:
558:
554:
544:
537:
535:
532:
529:
525:
521:
515:
507:
505:
503:
499:
495:
490:
486:
482:
473:
471:
467:
464:
460:
456:
451:
448:
443:
442:gantry cranes
439:
434:
429:
426:
422:
418:
414:
410:
406:
402:
401:78th Congress
397:
395:
394:Hartwell Dams
391:
387:
386:flood control
383:
379:
375:
371:
367:
359:
357:
355:
351:
347:
346:longleaf pine
343:
339:
336:, a longtime
335:
330:
327:
323:
319:
315:
314:flood control
311:
307:
303:
299:
295:
291:
287:
283:
279:
275:
272:-gravity and
271:
267:
263:
259:
250:
246:
244:
240:
237:
233:
231:
227:
223:
221:
217:
214:Power Station
212:
208:
204:
200:
198:
194:
191:
188:
184:
179:
175:
171:
167:
163:
159:
156:
153:
149:
144:
141:
138:
134:
130:
126:
122:
118:
114:
110:
105:
77:
73:
70:
66:
62:
58:
54:
41:
37:
30:
25:
20:
909:New Savannah
898:
812:. Retrieved
808:
799:
760:
749:. Retrieved
745:
735:
693:
653:Water portal
602:
593:contains 23
577:
569:Hartwell Dam
565:Little River
549:
519:
517:
477:
468:
452:
447:sluice gates
430:
398:
363:
331:
265:
257:
256:
247:700,000,000
546:Power plant
326:power plant
292:, creating
136:Operator(s)
99: /
75:Coordinates
57:SR 150
53:US 221
924:Categories
814:2023-03-20
809:Energy.gov
751:2021-05-22
686:References
583:generators
512:See also:
459:Korean War
455:generators
413:Paul Brown
390:irrigation
382:navigation
322:navigation
87:82°11′59″W
84:33°39′39″N
587:penstocks
181:Reservoir
889:Hartwell
789:Archived
768:Archived
725:Archived
611:See also
591:spillway
463:railcars
438:concrete
425:Congress
270:concrete
251:annually
220:Turbines
151:Impounds
55: /
39:Location
869:on the
553:thalweg
531:Senator
338:Senator
290:Georgia
280:on the
268:, is a
262:Georgia
186:Creates
166:thalweg
173:Length
161:Height
300:(and
867:Dams
746:WRDW
407:and
388:and
352:and
288:and
234:380
123:1954
115:1946
306:dam
264:as
249:kWh
69:USA
926::
807:.
778:^
744:.
704:^
607:.
396:.
384:,
380:,
356:.
316:,
296:.
236:MW
67:,
63:/
59:,
859:e
852:t
845:v
817:.
754:.
224:7
168:)
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
