Dominion Energy to Begin Work on Lake Murray Dam’s Intake Towers in Early August
To ensure the continued safe and reliable operation of the Saluda Hydroelectric Project, Dominion Energy launched a multi-year project to service its five intake towers near the Lake Murray dam. “While we have carefully maintained these headgates since the dam’s construction, they are 95 years old,” said Dominion Energy South Carolina vice president of generation Iris Griffin. “Investing in their replacement will enhance the safety and reliability of the Saluda Hydro facility’s operations for many years to come.”
The five 223-foot-high intake towers, which are easily visible while driving across the dam, supply water to the Lower Saluda River through five dedicated power-generating turbines. Each tower uses a set of headgates to shut off water flow from the lake, allowing maintenance and inspection activities on downstream equipment. The headgates are steel structures that are lowered into framed openings within the towers. Dominion Energy plans to replace these headgates and associated equipment within the towers.