| Salmon Creek Dam, Alaska | |
|---|---|
 Aerial view of Salmon Creek Dam in Juneau, Alaska | |
  Location of Salmon Creek Dam, Alaska in Alaska | |
| Official name | Salmon Creek Dam |
| Location | Juneau, Alaska, USA |
| Coordinates | 58°20′30″N 134°24′05″W / 58.34167°N 134.40139°W |
| Construction began | July 24, 1913 |
| Opening date | August 13, 1914 |
| Owner(s) | Alaska Electric Light & Power (AEL&P) |
| Operator(s) | AEL&P |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Constant-angle concrete arch dam |
| Height | 175 ft (53 m) |
| Length | 645 ft (197 m) |
| Width (base) | 6.5 ft (2.0 m) at top and 47.5 ft (14.5 m) at base |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Salmon Creek Reservoir |
| Total capacity | 18,000 acre⋅ft (22,000,000 m3) |
| Catchment area | 7.5 sq mi (19 km2) |
| Surface area | 192 acres (78 ha) |
| Power Station | |
| Operator(s) | AEL&P |
| Commission date | 1914 |
| Installed capacity | 6.7 MW |
| Annual generation | 29.5 GWh |
| Multi-purpose use | |
The Salmon Creek Dam is a concrete arch dam on the Salmon Creek, 3 miles (5 km) northwest of Juneau, Alaska. Built in 1914, it is the world's first constant-angle arch variable radius dam. Since it was built, over 100 such dams have been constructed all over the world.[1] The dam was designated as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2022.[2]
The dam was built by the Alaska-Gastineau Mining Company to meet the electrical energy needs for mining operations.[3] The dam continues to be fully functional for hydroelectric generation, as one of the drinking water sources to Juneau city and for aquaculture and fishing. When built, adoption of the constant arch design for the dam reduced costs by 20% because less concrete was needed to construct the dam. Of the two hydroelectric power stations built at the initial stage (one at the upper level and the other at the lower level) – the latter one is still in use after a new powerhouse was built adjoining the old one – it produces 10% of the energy needs of Juneau city. When built, the dam and its two power plants were considered engineering wonders.[3][4] Both are operated and maintained by the Alaska Electric Light & Power (AEL&P).[5]
- ^ "Key Developments in the History of Arch Dams". The Evolution of Modern Arch Dams:Variable radius. Simscience. Archived from the original on July 28, 2012. Retrieved 2010-07-15.
- ^ Kuhn, Jonson (September 10, 2022). "Salmon Creek Dam recognized as a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark". Juneau Empire. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
- ^ a b "Projects in Alaska". Renewable Energy Alaska Project. Archived from the original on 2010-05-27. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
- ^ "Southeast Conference Energy Program" (PDF). Seconference.org. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2010-07-14.
- ^ "Salmon Creek Dam and Powerhouses". Alaska Electric Light & Power (AEL&P). Retrieved 2010-07-15.