if Atlanta water goes too low it will stop electricity output

[donsu]

http://www.atlantawatershortage.com/


So maybe the dead pool isn’t so bad…


-snip-

Right now, water already comes from the “dead pool” at the bottom of the lake. It flows from the bottom, through the dam, then out into the river. As the water flows through it powers three turbines in the dam that generate electricity. The two largest turbines require significant “head pressure” to function. As the lake gets lower, the head pressure decreases. The turbines are already running at a lower rate due to the lower level of the lake. At 1035′, the head pressure will be too low for them to function. The third turbine, which is much smaller than the other two, will function down to about 1020′.

That’s it. There will be no need for “pumps and barges” to get water over the dam. We won’t suddenly be getting water that’s much worse than the current water. Essentially nothing will change, other than the dam losing its ability to generate power. The dam will be able to release water freely down to 919 feet, which is the bottom of the lake.

Losing the power generation won’t be a good thing (especially next summer when everyone fires up the A/C), but the grid should be able to handle the load.

-snip-

The dead pool holds about 40% of the capacity of the lake, so it’s still a decent amount of water. Still, with a dry winter predicted, things could be looking really ugly by spring.
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[lame54]

1. No worry Sonny's prayers will do