Millers Ferry Lock and Dam is a
lock
Lock(s) may refer to:
Common meanings
*Lock and key, a mechanical device used to secure items of importance
*Lock (water navigation), a device for boats to transit between different levels of water, as in a canal
Arts and entertainment
* ''Lock ...
and
hydroelectric dam
A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface 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 ...
on the
Alabama River, near the community of
Millers Ferry,
Alabama
(We dare defend our rights)
, anthem = "Alabama"
, image_map = Alabama in United States.svg
, seat = Montgomery
, LargestCity = Huntsville
, LargestCounty = Baldwin County
, LargestMetro = Greater Birmingham
, area_total_km2 = 135,765 ...
. It was built by and continues to be operated by the
. Construction of the complex began in 1963 and was completed in 1974.
The Millers Ferry Powerhouse came on line in 1970 and has a generating capacity of 90
megawatt
The watt (symbol: W) is the unit of power or radiant flux in the International System of Units (SI), equal to 1 joule per second or 1 kg⋅m2⋅s−3. It is used to quantify the rate of energy transfer. The watt is named after James ...
s.
Following a history of machinery problems and failures, major repair work on the power station was authorized in 1996.
Millers Ferry Lock and Dam impounds the
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 and has approximately of shoreline. It was named for William "Bill" Danne ...
. The reservoir covers and has approximately of shoreline.
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.
[Dute, Jeff and Ben Raines (April 26, 2009) "Opening lock is key to fish migration." ''Mobile Press-Register'']
See also
*
List of Alabama dams and reservoirs
This article lists the dams and reservoirs in Alabama. In 2015, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers estimated that the state has about 2,271 dams.
Reservoirs and manmade lakes with known dams
See also
* List of dams and reservoirs in the United S ...
References
{{Reflist
Dams in Alabama
Hydroelectric power plants in Alabama
Crossings of the Alabama River
Transportation buildings and structures in Wilcox County, Alabama
United States Army Corps of Engineers dams
Energy infrastructure completed in 1970
Dams completed in 1974
ACT River Basin