Clear Creek Constant Level Dam EarthCache
Hidden : 11/20/2008
Difficulty:
1 out of 5
Terrain:
1 out of 5

Size: Size: not chosen (not chosen)

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Geocache Description:

The area is within the Appalachian Ridge & Valley Range and is characterized by narrow elongated ridges flanked by broad, fertile valleys. The ridges are underlain by sedimentary rocks from the Paleozoic Era, 400-500 million years ago.


In the 1920s, several private and public entities began lobbying the federal government for the construction of a dam at the confluence of Cove Creek and the Clinch River to control flooding in the Tennessee Valley. When the Tennessee Valley Authority was formed in 1933, it assumed direction of the Cove Creek Project. The project was renamed the Norris Project after Nebraska Senator George Norris. Norris Dam and it's accompanying reservoir would allow control over the depths of the Tennessee River, aiding in both flood prevention and river navigation by keeping the river's depths consistent. Upon completion of Norris Dam in 1936, the Clear Creek Dam was constructed.
There are typically four types of dams, although some may serve more than one purpose. They are: hydroelectric, weir, flood control and constant level. Hydroelectric dams main purposes are to create electricity. One example of this is Norris Dam. Power is generated and delivered througout the Tennessee Valley through Norris Dam. A weir dams main purpose is to stimulate oxygen flow in the water. An example of this is Norris Weir Dam. Norris Dam and Norris Weir Dam are 5 minutes away and well worth the time and effort. Some dams serve to prevent flooding. Norris Dam also serves this purpose. Constant level dams function to maintain a constant water level in a body of water. Clear Creek Constant Level Dam serves this purpose as well as several others. It was used as a fish rearing area to restock the native sport fish populations in Norris Reservoir and trout in the Clinch River. Lower Clear Creek provides spawning habitat for trout that enter the creek from Norris tailwater providing a unique aquatic habitat.The nearby basins facilitated this purpose.

Clear Creek Constant Level Dam also serves a little known purpose. It provides a constant supply of water to operate the nearby gristmill. You may notice the pipe that runs toward the gristmill from the dam. Along with another smaller, nearby dam, Clear Creek Constant Level Dam ensures water is available in ample supply for the gristmill.

In order to log this earthcache you must:
1. Post a picture of you at the site.
2. E-mail the owner through his profile and answer the following:
What are the 4 main purposes dams serve?
What are two other purposes Clear Creek Constant Level Dam has been/is being used for?

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