Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)

Wilson Dam

By Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014

1. Wilson Dam Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Construction of Wilson Dam began in 1918 and was completed in 1924. The Dam is 137 feet high and stretches 4,541 feet across the Tennessee River.

Wilson Dam is a hydroelectric facility. It has 21 generating units with a net dependable capacity of 663 megawatts. Net dependable capacity is the amount of power a dam can produce on an average day, minus the electricity used by the dam itself.

Wilson Dam is the largest conventional hydroelectric facility on the Tennessee River. Only Raccoon Mountain Pumped Storage Plant near Chattanooga can generate more hydroelectric power. Wilson reservoir provides 166 miles of shoreline and 15,500 acres of water surface for recreation. The main lock at Wilson is 110 by 600 feet. With a maximum lift of 100 feet, it is the largest single lift lock east of the Rockies. An auxiliary lock has two 60- by 300-feet chambers that operate in tandem. On average, 3700 vessels pass through Wilson’s locks each year. Wilson has a flood-storage capacity of 50,000 acre-feet.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work

By Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014

2. Wilson Dam Marker

How the Locks Work Towboat Enter Lock Chamber C Upper Gate Closed D Lower Gate Closed A Filling Valve Open B Emptying Valve Closed Lowing Towboat C Upper Gate Closes D Lower Gates Closes A Filling Valve Closed B Emptying Valve Open Towboat Continues Down River C Upper Gate Closes D Lower Gate Open A Filing Valve Closed B Emptying Valve Open Paducah, Kentucky Tennessee River Mile 0 -Elevation 302 Kentucky Mile 22 Elevation 375 Pickwick Mile 207- Elevation 418 Wilson Mile 259 – Elevation 507.9 Wheeler Mile 275 – Elevation 556.28 Guntersville Mile 349- Elevation 595.4 Nickjack Mile 425 - Elevation 635 Chickamauga Mile 471- Elevation 685.4 Watts Bar Mile 530 - Elevation 745 Fort Loudoun Mile 602 -815 Knoxville, Tennessee Tennnessee River Mile 652

• Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the National Historic Landmarks series list.

Location. 34° 48.284′ N, 87° 37.693′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. Marker can be reached from South Cox Creek Parkway half a mile east of Veterans Drive (Alabama Route 133), on the right when traveling south. Marker located next to building at Wilson Dam Locks. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Florence AL 35630, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Oscar Stanton DePriest (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charles Caine Anderson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Frank Perron Achorn (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dr. Amit Roy (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rear Adm. John Murray Hood (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lt. Col. R. Edward Yeilding (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ronnie Gene Flippo (approx. 0.2 miles away); James Thomas Rapier (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Florence.

By Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014

3. Wilson Dam Marker

By Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014

4. Wilson Dam Marker

By Sandra Hughes, May 26, 2014

5. Wilson Dam Marker

By Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014

6. Wilson Dam Marker

By Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014

7. Wilson Dam Marker

By Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014

8. Wilson Dam Marker

By Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014

9. Wilson Dam Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2014, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 458 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on May 26, 2014, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.