The Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River,
constructed in 1926, is 4,468 feet long and 100 feet high. It impounds
105 billion gallons of water in a 14 square mile lake. To reach full capacity
a flow of 85,000 cubic feet per second is required. That's more than 38
million gallons per minute!
As do most major dams, this one has a power generating station, and it is one of the nation's largest hydroelectric installations. Operated by the Susquehanna Electric Company, a subsidiary of Philadelphia Electric Company, this facility features eleven generators with a total capacity of 512,000 kilowatts. It contributes 1.7 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity to its service area and, taking only minutes to start or shut down, has excellent emergency reserve capabilities. A lot of people depend on the Conowingo Dam and need it for power.
The above pictures are views of the Conowingo Dam, standing on the lower side of the dam. Although water is let out through the dam, during times of little rain or drought, people can walk or tread through low water to stand on the rock islands on the lower side. You are looking at the low side of the Conowingo Dam. If you were on the other side, the water would be higher.
CAUTION:
WHEN WATER RELEASING SIGNALS AND SOUNDS ARE HEARD, LEAVE THE LOWER SIDE
IMMEADIATELY!
WATER
CAN MOVE VERY QUICKLY AND YOU FIND YOURSELF IN A BAD SITUATION!
The two above pictures show a flood gate when it is closed (left) and when it is open (right). Notice when the flood gate is closed, the water level is higher on the one side. The dam is controlling the amount of water flowing through the flood gates at all times.
When water is released through the flood gate, at a controlled rate, water levels begin to level out on either side, however, they are never equal. Keeping the water levels at different heights allows water to flow and electricity to be generated by the Hydroelectric Plant.
The above pictures show a view of looking out from the top of the Conowingo Dam. One view is towards the higher side (left) and the other view is towards the lower side(right).
Comparisons can easily be observed about
the characteristics of the environment on either side of the Conowingo
Dam.
This aerial view of the Conowingo Dam shows the road running across the dam. The orange boxes are flood gates.When the flood gates are opened the water is allowed to flow through.When they are closed the water can’t go anywhere.When a flood gate is opened the Dam is providing power to certain places. This shows both sides of the Dam.
