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Lewis Smith Lake
Man-made reservoir in Alabama, United States From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Lewis Smith Lake, also known as Smith Lake, is a reservoir in north Alabama. Located on the Sipsey Fork of the Black Warrior River, it covers over 21,000 acres (85 km2) [1] in Cullman, Walker, and Winston Counties. The maximum depth at the dam is 264 feet (80 m). It is the deepest lake in Alabama. The three-fingered reservoir has over 500 miles (800 km) [1] of shoreline, and at full pool has a level of 510 feet (160 m).[2]
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The lake was created by Alabama Power with the construction of the Lewis Smith Dam. One of the largest earthen dams in the eastern United States, it stretches 2,200 feet (670 m) in length and reaches a maximum height of 300 feet (91 m). Construction began on November 25, 1957, and the dam entered service on September 5, 1961. The name honors Lewis Martin Smith, president of Alabama Power from 1952 to 1957.[3]
Nearby towns include Bremen, Cullman, Good Hope, Crane Hill and Dodge City in Cullman County; Curry and Jasper in Walker County; and Addison, Arley, Houston, and Double Springs in Winston County. The western side of Smith Lake is partially surrounded by the William B. Bankhead National Forest, which offers camping along the lake's shoreline.[4]
Tourist attractions are: Indian head cliff jump (30 ft), Castle Rock (40–50 ft), and the Castle.
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History
Due to the demand of coal along the Black Warrior River in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a series of locks and dams was added north of the city of Tuscaloosa. To better regulate the water levels in these locks and dams, local business leaders pressured the federal government to build a dam on the upper fork of the Sipsey Fork tributary of the Black Warrior River. The planned lake would also provide additional power to the surrounding area during peak hours, as well as provide a source of recreational income to the otherwise sparsely populated area.[6]
On July 27, 1954, Alabama Power filed an application with the Federal Power Commission for construction of the lake. Construction began on November 25, 1957, and the dam was formally dedicated on May 23, 1961 at a cost of $29 million.[5]
For the first 20 years, the lake remained relatively undeveloped. During the 1980s and 1990s, the lake had a rapid growth in recreation due to proximity to Birmingham and Huntsville.[6]
Today, the lake is used primarily for recreation, but during the summer, its power plant is used during peak loads.[6]
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References
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