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Cowans Ford Hydroelectric Station is a hydroelectric power plant and dam located near
Cowans Ford Hydroelectric Station is a hydroelectric power plant and dam located near Huntersville, North Carolina
Huntersville is a large suburban town in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States. A part of the Charlotte metropolitan area, the population was 61,376 at the 2020 census, making Huntersville the 15th largest municipality in North Caroli ...
, approximately 20 miles north of Charlotte on Lake Norman
Lake Norman is the largest man-made body of fresh water in North Carolina. It was created between 1959 and 1964 as part of the construction of the Cowans Ford Dam by Duke Energy.
Geography
Lake Norman is fed by the Catawba River, and drains i ...
. It is the largest conventional hydro station owned by Duke Energy
Duke Energy Corporation is an American electric power and natural gas holding company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Overview
Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, Duke Energy owns 58,200 megawatts of base-load and peak generation in ...
, generating up to 350 MW of power.
Three units began generating electricity in 1963, with a fourth unit beginning operation in 1967. They supply "peaking power"—extra electricity needed to meet demand when it is needed most—typically hot summer days and cold winter mornings.
Cowans Ford Dam impounds the Catawba River to create Lake Norman, the largest man-made body of fresh water in North Carolina. The lake provides water to Lincoln County and the communities of Davidson, Mooresville, Charlotte and Huntersville. The lake was named for former Duke Power president Norman Cocke.
See also
* Battle of Cowan's FordReferences
{{Coord, 35.4349, -80.9584, type:landmark_region:US-NC, display=title Hydroelectric power plants in North Carolina Buildings and structures in Lincoln County, North Carolina Buildings and structures in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina Dams in North Carolina Dams on the Catawba River Duke Energy dams Dams completed in 1963 Energy infrastructure completed in 1963 Energy infrastructure completed in 1967 1963 establishments in North Carolina