Salmon Creek Dam
Lake in the state of Alaska, United States / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Salmon Creek Dam is a concrete arch dam on the Salmon Creek, 3 miles (5 km) northwest of Juneau, Alaska. Built in 1914, it is the world's first constant-angle arch variable radius dam. Since it was built, over 100 such dams have been constructed all over the world.[1][2][3][4] The dam was designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2022.[5]
Salmon Creek Dam, Alaska | |
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Official name | Salmon Creek Dam |
Location | Juneau, Alaska, USA |
Coordinates | 58°20′30″N 134°24′05″W |
Construction began | July 24, 1913 |
Opening date | August 13, 1914 |
Owner(s) | Alaska Electric Light & Power (AEL&P) |
Operator(s) | AEL&P |
Dam and spillways | |
Type of dam | Constant-angle concrete arch dam |
Height | 175 ft (53 m) |
Length | 645 ft (197 m) |
Width (base) | 6.5 ft (2.0 m) at top and 47.5 ft (14.5 m) at base |
Reservoir | |
Creates | Salmon Creek Reservoir |
Total capacity | 18,000 acre⋅ft (22,000,000 m3) |
Catchment area | 7.5 sq mi (19 km2) |
Surface area | 192 acres (78 ha) |
Power Station | |
Operator(s) | AEL&P |
Commission date | 1914 |
Installed capacity | 6.7 MW |
Annual generation | 29.5 GWh |
Multi-purpose use |
The dam was built by the Alaska-Gastineau Mining Company to meet the electrical energy needs for mining operations.[6] The dam continues to be fully functional for hydroelectric generation, as one of the drinking water sources to Juneau city and for aquaculture and fishing. When built, adoption of the constant arch design for the dam reduced costs by 20% because less concrete was needed to construct the dam. Of the two hydroelectric power stations built at the initial stage (one at the upper level and the other at the lower level) – the latter one is still in use after a new powerhouse was built adjoining the old one – it produces 10% of the energy needs of Juneau city. When built, the dam and its two power plants were considered engineering wonders.[6][7] Both are operated and maintained by the Alaska Electric Light & Power (AEL&P).[2]