Ocoee: 3 Dams, (hey!.. Not today! Ok…sorry) all named the same, in one trip.

I decided to do this trip to avoid the rain. And honestly, I needed to get away from today for reasons. I thought about a sightseeing trip, but remembered the goal so why not see sights and get a few work sites in at the same time. But regardless of the why, I am glad I did the trip. And what a trip it was too! I left the house at 9AM and returned at 4 PM! A few meals, a lot of small stops and quite a bit of riding and sightseeing.

This is the first trip I took a few pictures along the route (sightseeing). I need to do more, the time being off helps the bike. Out of the three Ocoee dams only one was built by work, the other two were built by the Eastern Tennessee Power Company, later owned by TPEC (the same company that built great falls) but we own and upkeep them and now.

Some history about Ocoee, the 1996 Olympics white water events were held on the Ocoee river, and would not have been able to be a white water without water release from our dams. In fact, fast forward a few years and I myself went white water rafting down this river with a group of friends. And yes. I fell out. But I digress. If you look up Ocoee, good luck finding much other than white water. I mean holy cow was there a TON of companies facilitating it and people in the water today. I got lucky, I was on one of the 34 days they release enough for the white caps.

Well Dam 1 was pretty impressive if I do say so. It holds back the most actual water. The other dams divert water, this one is a bona fide Lake maker. To be fair all 3 hold some water back, but just look at the map Lake Parksville to be exact. Get it? Ok, so you want to attract people? Show them water. There were a TON of people out today! Boating, rafting, picnicking, all the things people with people do around water.Read More about Dam 1 here.

Dam 2 is where the magic happens with the white water. When the water is cresting number 2 it’s ON! When it’s not, it’s quite impressive in a completely different way. There is a great YouTube Video that talks about all 3 but shows 2 empty, check it out here! Ocoee 2 does indeed hold back some water, but nothing like 1, the specialty of 2 is the flume. Instead of a carved tunnel or metal pipe a wooden flume, (Think water ride at amusement park) diverts water to the pump house where it makes the power. This 30 foot drop creates as much power as others 250 ft drop pump houses. On to 3. Read More about Dam 2 here.

OK so look, I stopped at the pump house because I couldn’t find a good place to park along the road to get the bike with the overflow, but this is what it would have looked like!

Dam 3 is not actually “the dam” it’s the pump house. The dam is controlled from here. The actual structure is up the river a few miles and about 2 miles off TN 40 down a road that is closed. I’m not into getting arrested so pump house it is! On this site you can see the incoming pipe from the dam coming into the pump house that feeds the turbines that creates the power. Pretty impressive. I can’t help but think, if this was made today, I bet it could create 3-4 times the power. But it would also take 5 times as long to make due to red tape. Also, when Dam 2 is cresting... It's because Dam 3 has opened... This is the dam that really makes the whater roll

This trip was not round. It was a destination. There and back. Because I was avoiding the rain I had to take specific routs. However, it did let me see what I wanted to get a picture of on the ride home and I am so glad I took the time. Simply stunning!

Something new!!!

A few Videos from the trip!