Hartwell Dam
Encyclopedia
Hartwell Dam is concrete
and embankment dam
located on the Savannah River
at the border of South Carolina
and Georgia
, creating Lake Hartwell
. The dam
was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1955 and 1962 for the purposes of flood control, hydropower and navigation. The concrete and earthen structure spans 15840 feet (4,828 m). The concrete section is 1900 feet (579 m) long and rises 204 feet (62 m) above the riverbed at its apex. The Hartwell Dam currently produces 468 million KWh of electricity annually, has prevented over $40 million in flood damage since completion and also provides recreation, water quality, water supply, along with fish and wildlife management.
in order to prevent flooding in Augusta, Georgia
. 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 hydroelectricity
, navigation
, flood control
and irrigation
. 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 Hartwell and Clark Hill
dams.
The Flood Control Act of 1950
authorized the Hartwell Dam and Reservoir as a development project of the Savannah River
Basin. Construction on the Hartwell Dam began in 1955 and the plan called for a 3-mile long structure containing four hydroelectricity
generators along with a combined 264,000 kW·h capacity. Predicting future demand requirements, the ability to install a fifth generator in the future was provided. 1,900 ft of the dam's length consists of a concrete-gravity dam
, the rest compacted earth. A year before completion, in February 1961, the dam began to inundate the Savannah River
. In March 1962, the reservoir was complete behind the dam and the four original hydro-power generators went online in April. The original cost of the dam was $68.4 million USD but when completed was just over $89.2 million USD. In 1983, the fifth hydroelectricity
generator was installed on the dam, raising the electricity generation capacity to 344,000 kW·h.
had exceeded their 30 year life expectancy by 7 seven and underwent a rehabilitation. Phase 1 began in 1997 and consisted of generator rewinding/turbine refurbishment, replacing and upgrading circuit breakers, and replacing and upgrading the transformers. Phase II consisted of replacing all of the switch-yard breakers and bus-work and updating the powerhouse and Clemson Pumping Station. Upon completion of the rehabilitation, the hydroelectricity
generation capacity was increased to 422,000 kW·h, a 22.7% increase.
triggered Level 1 conditions, resulting in reduced flows of 4200 feet sec (118 m² sec). 2 months later in August, Level 2 was triggered, resulting in a 4000 feet sec (113 m² sec) release. After receiving federal and state agency authorization, the flow was again reduced to 3600 feet sec (113 m² sec) in October 2007. In August 2008, to maintain mid-term hydroelectricity output and reservoir levels, releases below 3600 feet sec (a goal of 3100 feet sec (113 m² sec)) were explored and temporarily implemented. The flows were increased back to 3600 feet sec in February 2009 to prevent environmental damage. In October 2009, the Savannah River
Basin transitioned out of drought and normal flows should soon resume.
The 2007-2009 drought raised controversy over the Southeastern Power Association's (SEPA) role of controlling the Hartwell Dam. Complaints arose that the dam was releasing excess water in order to provide cheap power to communities. In addition, environmental controversy arose as to whether the releases and subsequent draining of the reservoir during a severe drought was necessary.
Concrete
Concrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...
and embankment dam
Embankment dam
An embankment dam is a massive artificial water barrier. It is typically created by the emplacement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various compositions of soil, sand, clay and/or rock. It has a semi-permanent waterproof natural covering for its surface, and a dense, waterproof...
located on the Savannah River
Savannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
at the border of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
and Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, creating Lake Hartwell
Lake Hartwell
Lake Hartwell is a reservoir bordering Georgia and South Carolina on the Savannah, Tugaloo, and Seneca Rivers. The lake is created by Hartwell Dam located on the Savannah River seven miles below the point at which the Tugaloo and Seneca Rivers join to form the Savannah...
. The dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. 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. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1955 and 1962 for the purposes of flood control, hydropower and navigation. The concrete and earthen structure spans 15840 feet (4,828 m). The concrete section is 1900 feet (579 m) long and rises 204 feet (62 m) above the riverbed at its apex. The Hartwell Dam currently produces 468 million KWh of electricity annually, has prevented over $40 million in flood damage since completion and also provides recreation, water quality, water supply, along with fish and wildlife management.
Construction
In 1890, Lieutenant Oberlin M. Carter of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Savannah Office issued a survey report that recommended the construction of dams on the Savannah RiverSavannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
in order to prevent flooding in Augusta, Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
. 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 hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
, navigation
Navigation
Navigation is the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. It is also the term of art used for the specialized knowledge used by navigators to perform navigation tasks...
, flood control
Flood control
In communications, flood control is a feature of many communication protocols designed to prevent overwhelming of a destination receiver. Such controls can be implemented either in software or in hardware, and will often request that the message be resent after the receiver has finished...
and irrigation
Irrigation
Irrigation may be defined as the science of artificial application of water to the land or soil. It is used to assist in the growing of agricultural crops, maintenance of landscapes, and revegetation of disturbed soils in dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall...
. 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 Hartwell and Clark Hill
J. Strom Thurmond Dam
J. Strom Thurmond Dam, also known in Georgia as Clarks Hill Dam, is a concrete-gravity and embankment dam located north of Augusta, Georgia on the Savannah River at the border of South Carolina and Georgia, creating Lake Strom Thurmond. The dam was built by the U.S...
dams.
The Flood Control Act of 1950
Flood Control Act of 1950
The Flood Control Act of 1950 was a law passed by the United States Congress authorizing flood control projects in Montana, Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington....
authorized the Hartwell Dam and Reservoir as a development project of the Savannah River
Savannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
Basin. Construction on the Hartwell Dam began in 1955 and the plan called for a 3-mile long structure containing four hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
generators along with a combined 264,000 kW·h capacity. Predicting future demand requirements, the ability to install a fifth generator in the future was provided. 1,900 ft of the dam's length consists of a concrete-gravity dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. 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. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
, the rest compacted earth. A year before completion, in February 1961, the dam began to inundate the Savannah River
Savannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
. In March 1962, the reservoir was complete behind the dam and the four original hydro-power generators went online in April. The original cost of the dam was $68.4 million USD but when completed was just over $89.2 million USD. In 1983, the fifth hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
generator was installed on the dam, raising the electricity generation capacity to 344,000 kW·h.
Hydro-Power Plant Rehabilitation
By 1997, the four original hydro-electricity generatorsElectrical generator
In electricity generation, an electric generator is a device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy. A generator forces electric charge to flow through an external electrical circuit. It is analogous to a water pump, which causes water to flow...
had exceeded their 30 year life expectancy by 7 seven and underwent a rehabilitation. Phase 1 began in 1997 and consisted of generator rewinding/turbine refurbishment, replacing and upgrading circuit breakers, and replacing and upgrading the transformers. Phase II consisted of replacing all of the switch-yard breakers and bus-work and updating the powerhouse and Clemson Pumping Station. Upon completion of the rehabilitation, the hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
generation capacity was increased to 422,000 kW·h, a 22.7% increase.
2007-2009 Drought & Controversy
In June 2007, droughtDrought
A drought is an extended period of months or years when a region notes a deficiency in its water supply. Generally, this occurs when a region receives consistently below average precipitation. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region...
triggered Level 1 conditions, resulting in reduced flows of 4200 feet sec (118 m² sec). 2 months later in August, Level 2 was triggered, resulting in a 4000 feet sec (113 m² sec) release. After receiving federal and state agency authorization, the flow was again reduced to 3600 feet sec (113 m² sec) in October 2007. In August 2008, to maintain mid-term hydroelectricity output and reservoir levels, releases below 3600 feet sec (a goal of 3100 feet sec (113 m² sec)) were explored and temporarily implemented. The flows were increased back to 3600 feet sec in February 2009 to prevent environmental damage. In October 2009, the Savannah River
Savannah River
The Savannah River is a major river in the southeastern United States, forming most of the border between the states of South Carolina and Georgia. Two tributaries of the Savannah, the Tugaloo River and the Chattooga River, form the northernmost part of the border...
Basin transitioned out of drought and normal flows should soon resume.
The 2007-2009 drought raised controversy over the Southeastern Power Association's (SEPA) role of controlling the Hartwell Dam. Complaints arose that the dam was releasing excess water in order to provide cheap power to communities. In addition, environmental controversy arose as to whether the releases and subsequent draining of the reservoir during a severe drought was necessary.