Scenic North Alabama: Wilson Dam at Florence, Alabama, May 4, 2010

Construction on Wilson Dam began in 1918 and was completed in 1927. The Wilson Dam actually predates the TVA, but was later placed under the authority of the TVA. The dam is 137 feet (42 m) high and stretches 4,541 feet (1,384 m) across the Tennessee River.



Dam from the south side at Rockpile Recreation Area after the recent heavy rains and flooding









Great Blue Heron flying; there were many of them fishing at the dam





North side of dam from city park near Mariott Hotel






Bluff at Rockpile Recreation Area, Wilson Dam





One of the caves formed in the limestone bluff; the heavy rains have created wet weather streams and waterfalls




Rainbow in mist at second cave in bluff






Yet another rainbow and cave opening




Yes, this photo was in a previous post, but I liked it and decided to use it again.





Largest of the waterfalls










Same shot with Paul to show scale

Scenic North Alabama: Guntersville Dam near Guntersville, Alabama

Guntersville Dam, North; spillways, locks, and fishing area (before the recent heavy rains)



















The same view after the rains; more than half the upper walkway is under water (photo on left) and all of the lower walkway(photo on right) where we often fish is submerged





Spillways open; south side of dam after recent flooding
























Submerged guard rail on south side of dam with herons












Guntersville Reservoir above the dam





Part of Lake Guntersville with waterfowl; recreation area near Guntersville city limits


Sun on the lake below the dam

Scenic North Alabama: Wheeler Dam

What a nice day. We decide to head west on US Hwy 72 and see where we end up. Eventually, we find ourselves at the Tennessee Valley Authority's Wheeler Dam near Rogersville, Alabama. Here are some photos. Click on them for enlargements.


TVA was created in 1933 to improve navigation, control flooding, provide electricity through the generation of hydroelectric power, and improve economic development in the Tennessee Valley, a region that was one of the most economically depressed in the country. A total of 50 dams have been built along the Tennessee River and its tributaries from Knoxville to the Ohio River. Construction on Wheeler Dam began in 1933 and it was completed in 1936. The dam impounds the Wheeler Lake of 67,070 acres and its tailwaters feed into Wilson Lake. The Wheeler Reservoir above the dam stretches 74 miles east to Guntersville Dam. Fifteen miles downstream from Wheeler Dam is Wilson Dam at Florence and Muscle Shoals. Wheeler Dam is named for Civil War general Joseph "Joe" Wheeler, who later became a U.S. Congressman.



South end of the dam from the overlook parking lot





Sign at south end of dam





About to drive across the dam





Entrance to one of the locks at the north end of the dam






Another view of the locks looking south




Sign showing the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) dam system on the Tennessee River (Wheeler Dam is in the lower left portion). Unfortunately, the sign has been embellished with graffiti.