“The sound of water escaping from mill dams, etc., willows, old
rotten planks, slimy posts, and brickwork, I love such things.”
John
Constable
On
Wednesday, June 2nd, 2021, the gates of this magnificent
dam were to be opened for a test. On this overcast day, my
daughter, Jeannine, her flock of children, and myself headed to the
Dam to see the gates all open which is a rare site to see. Every
year they open the spillway gates for a safety test to make sure all
the gates will open during high water events requiring an emergency
release. They choose this week to open the gates on both this dam
and Lake Hartwell’s Dam because National Dam Safety Awareness Day
which is on May 31st..
Back
as far as 1890, Lieutenant Oberlin M. Carter of the US Army Corps of
Engineers recommended the construction of dams on the Savannah River
to prevent Augusta, Georgia from being flooded. The report was
overlooked until 1927 when the Rivers and Harbors Act allowed the
USACE (United States Corp of Engineers) to investigate the
development of the river to be used for hydroelectricity, navigation,
flood control, and irrigation. Then finally, after much to do,
approved the dams by the 78th Congress in 1944. There
were delays because of WWII but the dam was finally completed in
1954. The dam created Clark's Hill Lake aka Strom Thurmond Lake
which covers 71,000 acres and 1,000 miles of beautiful shoreline.
Were
you wondering why this lake has two names? Georgians named the lake
after Elijah Clark, a Revolutionary War hero whom they held near and
dear. But the lake was officially designated J. Strom Thurmond
Reservoir, after the long term, much beloved South Carolina Senator,
J. Strom Thurmond in 1988. Strom Thurmond has since past but still,
to this day, this majestic lake goes by two names.
As
we sat, waiting for the spillway gates of the dam to open, we
marveled at the ingenuity of the engineers who constructed this huge
concrete dam that spans 1,096 feet and stands at a tall 204 feet
above the riverbed. Just by having this dam in place, it has
prevented over $185,000 in estimated flood damage that would have
occurred annually downstream. As we sat with a small crowd forming,
the weather was stagnant with no breeze, the sun occasionally peaking
through the clouds, and the river water was as calm as glass.
While waiting, the children entertained themselves by picking the
wild blackberries on the slope and enjoying a delicious little snack.
The
alarms blared on and off through the silence signaling the opening of
the flood gates at 1 pm. We eagerly waited for the gates to open
with much anticipation. Then we got word it would be another 15
minutes. Our anticipation was growing. Slowly they started to
open the gates, one by one. They opened the gates only a foot for
this test and when the water started pouring out, it was a muddy
looking but quickly changed to a beautiful clean steady flow. As
each gate opened, people excited roared with delight.
We
noticed the temperature started to drop and a slight breeze came from
the strength of the water pushing through the gates and cascading
into the Savannah River with great force. The water at the base of
the dam was now turbulent and the small boat parked down stream to
watch the show, started rocking in the waves. The birds formed
together near the banks enjoying the show and riding the waves. Gate
ten remained closed to the end. We all thought there was a gate
malfunction and that it would not open. When it did, people cheered
and clapped. The temperature had easily dropped 10 degrees
Fahrenheit when all the gates were opened. It felt wonderful with
every now and then you felt a little of the mist from the falling
water on us.
What
a spectacular site. How gorgeous it looked with all gates open.
The gates remained open for 45 minutes. Then just as when the gates
opened, the alarms went off signaling the closing of the gates. It
is an amazing site to see. If you ever have the opportunity to see
the gates open, you should do it. If not, I hope you enjoyed the
experience through us.
Till
next time. Bye for now.
