Florence in Lauderdale County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Wilson Dam
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014
1. Wilson Dam Marker
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 Wilsons 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 • Waterways & Vessels.
this page online
Location. 34° 48.284′ N, 87° 37.693′ W. Marker is in Florence, Alabama, in Lauderdale County. It 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.
Regionally, this marker is in North Alabama and in the Shoals. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Wilson Dam (approx. 0.2
Photographed 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
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014
3. Wilson Dam
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014
4. Wilson Dam
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, May 26, 2014
5. Wilson Dam
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014
6. Wilson Dam
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014
7. Wilson Dam
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014
8. Wilson Dam
Photographed by Sandra Hughes, May 25, 2014
9. Wilson Dam Markers
Credits. This page was last revised on July 16, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 26, 2014, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,210 times since then and 31 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.
