Pickwick

Wednesday morning brought a transition from natural gas facilities to classic hydro power. Named after Charles Dickens' famous novel 'The Pickwick Papers', Pickwick Dam immediately reminded me of Chickamauga Dam. Standing near the structure, you can see striking architectural similarities in how the concrete spillways and powerhouse walls were designed.

The nearest major town, Savannah, Tennessee, along with the surrounding county, leans heavily into water recreation and river culture - much more than urban areas like Hixson near Chickamauga. The contrast between rural river culture and urban hydro settings is really intriguing.

Inside the powerhouse, Pickwick utilizes what is known as an adjustable Kaplan turbine. While similar to the units at Chickamauga, Kaplan turbines allow the runner blades to automatically adjust their angle based on water flow rates, maximizing hydraulic efficiency compared to traditional fixed-blade propeller turbines.

Rider's Highlight: Riding the motorcycle straight across the crest of Pickwick Dam with the vast river stretching out on both sides was an absolutely stunning experience. Worth every single mile!

Read more about Pickwick Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, Here, and Here!