Claytor Lake Hydroelectric dam
Appalachian Power is alerting recreational users downstream of Claytor and Leesville dams that water levels on the New and Roanoke rivers could rise rapidly starting Thursday, June 13, and continue to fluctuate throughout the early part of next week.
The National Weather Service is calling for high temperatures and PJM, the independent regional transmission organization that manages the electric grid in 13 states, has notified Appalachian Power it may need to increase power generation at its hydroelectric plants to maintain the reliability of the regional electric grid if called upon to do so.
“The National Weather Service is calling for hot temperatures possibly into next week,” reads a statement on the Claytor Hydroelectric Project Facebook page on Wednesday. “These temperatures could require us to increase power generation at the Claytor Hydroelectric facility to maintain reliability of the regional electric grid. If we are notified to increase power generation, we will have little time to alert the public about the potential of increased downstream flows. Please continue to check back for updates as they become available and visit https://www.aep.com/Recreation/Hydro to view real-time water levels at our hydro facilities.”
Below Claytor Dam, water levels could increase up to two feet in a matter of minutes. Water levels below Leesville Dam could increase as much as eight feet over a seven-hour period. Those considering recreating on the rivers should monitor AEP’s website for additional information and follow us on Smith Mountain or Claytor Facebook pages for updates.
Located on the New River in Pulaski County, the Claytor Dam is operated by Appalachian Power. The total installed electric generating capacity of the plant is 76 megawatts. Leesville dam, with a generating capacity of 50 megawatts, is part of the Smith Mountain Project, a 636-megawatt pumped storage hydroelectric facility on the Roanoke River.
Appalachian Power
