Philpott Dam is still not generating due to damage sustained to a switchgear building during a mudslide, according to Chris Powell, Operations Project Manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Powell said that the exact timeline for repairs is still unknown.
“It could be a month, it could be a year until we can get everything ready to go,” Powell said, adding that the mudslide had “taken out some fences” and gotten into the powerhouse as well.
Currently, the sluice gate and low flow valves are used to discharge water. The gate is open about 6-inches, and both low flow valves are open. The current discharge is 350 cubic feet per second.
Philpott Dam was built in 1948 to provide flood control. Philpott Powerhouse began producing hydroelectric power in 1953. A Visitor Assistance Center, open daily from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., offers information, interpretive displays and spectacular views of the lake and dam.
Visit the lake’s Facebook page for the latest conditions or call before visiting to check current operating conditions. Due to overcrowding, some facilities may close temporarily.
