Thurlow Dam
gets new spillway gates
By Stacy White and Justin Averette
Lake urlow is back up following completion of a two-
year project to replace spillway gates at urlow Dam.
Lake levels returned to normal full pool on Oct. 31.
e drawdown was needed to replace the dam's 36
spillway crest gates, known as flashboards, which were
installed in the 1920s.
e replacements, called Obermeyer gates, are more
efficient than the old system and will help improve
management of water resources, according to urlow
Dam Superintendent Joel Johnson
"ese new gates will allow us to maintain better
control of the water flow over the spillway," Johnson said.
Alabama Power worked with the Alabama Historical
Commission and the University of Alabama to research
urlow Dam when designing the new gates.
urlow Dam was built at the site of an early 19th-
century textile mill that was used during the Civil War
as a uniform and ammunition plant. e dam came into
service Dec. 31, 1930.
e new design features four spans that operate
independently across the top of the dam but mimic the
historic look of the original dam. Decades ago, local
boosters promoted urlow Dam as the "Niagara of the
South" for the way the Tallapoosa River spills over the
dam when all the gates are open.
"With this project, we wanted to do our best to make
sure the improved urlow Dam keeps its historic look
and feel. is will resemble the urlow Dam we all know
and remember," Johnson said.
29
apcshorelines.com
