Construction on the dam began in 1942 and
finished in November 1944 at a cost of $70,420,688.48 (in 1944). The
war-time need for the electric power meant that the crews worked
around the clock in 3 shifts every day. Welch Cove (now Fontana
Village) was constructed to house the workers whose numbers had
reached 5,000 by 1943. The electric generator started operation in
1945 and produced 228,000 kilowatts of power annually. Most of the
electricity went to the aluminum factories about 45 miles (70 km)
away.
The design of the dam was unusual for TVA at the time. The 480 feet
high wall required 2,818,000 yd³ (2,155,000 m³) of concrete. It also
does not have a conventional spillway but drains water out through
two 34 foot (10.3 m) diameter spill pipes. The design is the work of
TVA Chief Architect Roland Wank. |
