Cowans Ford Hydroelectric Station
Dam in North Carolina, United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cowans Ford Hydroelectric Station is a hydroelectric power plant and dam located near Huntersville, North Carolina, approximately 20 miles north of Charlotte on Lake Norman. It is the largest conventional hydro station owned by Duke Energy, generating up to 350 MW of power.[1]
| Cowans Ford Hydroelectric Station | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, United States |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1959 |
| Opening date | 1963 |
| Owner(s) | Duke Energy |
| Operator(s) | Duke Energy |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Height (foundation) | 134 ft |
| Length | 8738 ft |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Norman |
| Total capacity | 1,093,600 acre-feet (1,348,900,000 m³) |
| Surface area | 50.80 sq mi (131.6 km2) |
| Turbines | 4 x 87.5MWKaplan-type |
| Installed capacity | 350.0 MW |
| Annual generation | 154,287.4 MWh |
Three units began generating electricity in 1963, with a fourth unit beginning operation in 1967. They supply "peaking power"—extra electricity needed to meet demand when it is needed most—typically hot summer days and cold winter mornings.[1]
Cowans Ford Dam impounds the Catawba River to create Lake Norman, the largest man-made body of fresh water in North Carolina. The lake provides water to Lincoln County and the communities of Davidson, Mooresville, Charlotte and Huntersville. The lake was named for former Duke Power president Norman Cocke.[2]
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