Bankhead Lock and Dam
The John Hollis Bankhead Lock and Dam (also known as Lock 17) is the northernmost impoundment structure, and the highest dam, on the mainstem of the Black Warrior River. It is named for U.S. Senator John Hollis Bankhead, and is located in the northeast corner of Tuscaloosa County.
The original lock was built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 1915, and was replaced in 1963. At that time, Alabama Power constructed a hydroelectric powerhouse below the lock. Bankhead is one of two Corps-owned dams fitted with an Alabama Power Company hydropower generating turbine. The lock and dam created Bankhead Lake, which is the largest of the mainstem Warrior impoundments. The 1963 turbine was replaced in 1997, but stopped working in 2015.
In February 2019 Alabama Power invested $17 million to install a new American Hydro turbine, along with constructing a new control room and replacing headgates, stop-logs, wicket gates and other infrastructure.
References
- Nicholson, Gilbert (January 9, 2019) "Bankhead Lock and Dam getting makeover." Alabama Newscenter
External links
- Black Warrior Hydrologic Modifications at Rivers of Alabama
| Black Warrior River | |
|---|---|
| Dams |
Bankhead Lock and Dam, Holt Lock and Dam, Oliver Lock and Dam, Lewis Smith Dam, Warrior Lock and Dam |
| Reservoirs |
Bankhead Lake, Holt Lake, Lake Tuscaloosa, Lake Oliver, Smith Lake, Inland Lake, Highland Lake, Warrior Lake |
| Tributaries |
Blackburn Fork, Locust Fork, Mulberry Fork, North River, Sipsey Fork, Valley Creek, Village Creek |