GRAND RIVERS, Ky. — Since 1944, the Kentucky Dam has produced clean power for parts of Western Kentucky.
Located near Grand Rivers, it produces 223 megawatts each day.
“We have five generating units, each one capable of about 44 megawatts each," said KT Duffy, hydro generation plant manager of the Kentucky Dam.
This summer, staff are preparing to provide power for nearby areas as generators release thousands of watts of power by the minute.
“They go down into the water, and we have wicket gates that open up, allow water to flow through and spin the turbine shafts, which, in turn, spins the generator, produces electricity and starts feeding power out on the grid," Duffy said.
They’re also making sure the dam controls the flow of water by assuring water doesn’t go over its gates.
“(The) top of the middle gate is what holds us a summer pool, so in a large rain water event, we could put up the upper gates and hold back more water," Duffy said. "I think the last time that was done was 2011.”
A Tennessee Valley Authority release said from 2023 to 2027, the Kentucky Dam will invest $2.3 billion in transmission system improvements to deliver clean energy to millions of homes and businesses in seven different states.
At more than 8,000 feet long, the Kentucky Dam is the longest dam on the Tennessee River and the longest in the TVA system.