1913 23mwNet TVA Ocoee Dam #2

Dam: (Satellite)

Powerhouse: (Satellite)

The 30' high dam diverts water to a downstream powerhouse that is 250' lower.

TVA posted

As one of America's top 10 whitewater rivers, the Ocoee is known worldwide for its thrilling rapids. The three dams that make it a thrill seeker destination also provide the region with other benefits, including power generation. In honor of over 100 years of service, Ocoee #2 Dam has been inducted into the HYDROVISION International Hydro Hall of Fame! 

The Hall of Fame is a high honor for long-lasting hydropower plants around the world, honoring systems that have helped improve quality of life for 100 years or more.

Learn more! 👉 http://tva.me/fg2g50KjYhg

TVA #2
"Water is diverted from generation and allowed to flow over the dam on selected days to provide for whitewater rafting downstream of the dam. "

This must be an old photo because  the current spillway is stair stepped.

TVA History

Matt Lusk, Jul 2015

Google Maps labels the route of the wooden flume that carries the water five miles downstream to the penstocks of the powerhouse.

Satellite

That is how I found the powerhouse.

Street View

Near the end of the flume there are some breaks in the trees so that we can see the flume.

Satellite

Alex Goins posted two photos with the comment: "Worked in a flume for a dam today. 14'x11' 5 miles long. The flume is wooden, concrete supports."

Bob Ciminel: Ever ride it? TVA has one along the Ocoee River that runs for miles across from US-64. It has a small rail line on top for maintenance crews.

Alex Goins: Bob Ciminelthat's the one im in here. I've never been on the rail. Hopefully one day I can take a ride down it. You can see the rails in the photo. The carts are propane powered and have a munsy 4 speed transmission from what I've heard. Ha

John Ireland: Is it curved the whole time ?

Alex Goins: John Irelanduh it follows along the mountain side so it's all over the place. If you put in Ocoee Flume on Google maps it will pop up.

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TVA posted five photos with the comment: "Go along as our Dam Safety team performs a power waterway inspection at Ocoee #2. Take a look deep inside the rarely seen penstock and the five-mile-long wooden flume. In addition to visual inspections, the team uses a drone to fly down and photograph inside the penstocks, which are the large pipes that carry water to both generating units."

Doug Jackson: Cool cage encasing the drone. I recall going up to the flume to inspect some equipment stored up there decades before. We stepped onto a wooden platform connected to a rail line at the bottom of the hill. The plant manager flipped an electric switch, and up the hill we went, enjoying the nice view. The Ocoee hydro projects were as interesting as visiting Raccoon Mountain pump storage project while it was being constructed.

Brent Hilliard: Doug Jackson That “ride” up the hill to the flume line was removed and replaced by a steep bridge and access road up the hill by Wright Bros. Construction within the last couple of years.

Neal O'Russa: How long has the wooden flume been in service? And future plans to concrete or steel line it?

Samuel Sweetland: Neal O'Russa I believe this one was replaced in 1983.

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TVA posted five photos with the comment:

Ocoee #2 is one of three dams on the Ocoee River in Polk County, TN. Construction started in 1912 and is unique because water flows through a 5-mile-long wooden flume to the powerhouse. TVA acquired the facility from the Tennessee Electric Power Company in 1939. 

When the dam isn't producing renewable hydropower, the rushing water creates world-class whitewater rafting!

Wonder how we inspect dams that are over 100 years old? We use cool tech like drones! Check it out: 😯 👇 http://tva.me/InLs50LSrVr

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