Overview
Jocassee Dam is a concrete gravity dam on the Keowee River in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. The dam creates Lake Jocassee, a reservoir used for hydroelectric power generation, flood control, water supply, and recreation. The facility is owned and operated by Duke Energy.
Design and construction
- Type: Concrete gravity dam.
- Construction period: Early 1970s; the dam entered service in 1973.
- Height: Approximately 374 ft (114 m) above the riverbed.
- Length: Approximately 1,300 ft (400 m) along the crest.
- Spillway: Gated overflow spillway designed to regulate lake levels and manage flood events.
Reservoir – Lake Jocassee
- Surface area: Roughly 7,500 acres (30 km²).
- Maximum depth: About 300 ft (91 m), making it one of the deepest natural‑origin lakes in South Carolina.
- Capacity: Close to 1.0 million acre‑feet (approximately 1.2 billion m³) of water storage.
- The lake is fed primarily by the Keowee River and several tributary streams, and it discharges back to the Keowee River downstream of the dam.
Hydroelectric generation
- The dam houses a hydroelectric power plant with an installed capacity of roughly 100 megawatts (MW).
- Electricity is generated by directing water through turbine‑generator units; the plant operates as a conventional (run‑of‑river) facility rather than a pumped‑storage scheme.
- Generated power is integrated into the regional grid managed by Duke Energy.
Environmental and recreational significance
- Lake Jocassee is noted for its clear, cold water and is a popular site for fishing, kayaking, and scuba diving.
- The surrounding area includes protected forest lands and the Jocassee Gorges, contributing to regional biodiversity and tourism.
- Environmental monitoring programs are in place to assess water quality, aquatic habitats, and downstream river health.
Notable events
- Since its commissioning, the dam has functioned without major structural failures. Routine inspections and maintenance are performed in accordance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing requirements.
Regulatory framework
- The dam operates under a FERC license that mandates specific water release schedules, safety inspections, and environmental mitigation measures.
References
- Duke Energy, “Jocassee Hydroelectric Project.”
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Licensing Docket for Jocassee Dam.
- South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Lake Jocassee Overview.
All information provided reflects verifiable data from publicly available government and corporate sources.
