The Army Corps of Engineers conducted required safety tests of spillway gates at Hartwell Dam, Monday, March 19. James Payne, Supervisory Power Project Manager, said the results were as expected and provided additional information about the tests.

What were the results? Of the 9 gates tested, all nine of the gates at Hartwell Powerplant opened and operated without any problems. We attribute this good test to our preventative maintenance program.

What results were you expecting? We expected just what we got, a smooth even pull on each side of the gate, proper rotation of the trunion bearings (the pivot points) and a controlled release or closure of the massive gates. The seals on the gates will close off the small sprays of water that leaks by the seals immediately after operation and the spillway will once again be dry. During the raising and lowering of the gates, powerplant mechanics and electricians monitor the condition of motors and gearboxes to assure proper operation.

What do the results imply? One of the Congressionally authorized purposes of the Hartwell Dam is Flood Damage Reduction (FDR). In the event of high water due to rainfall or a sudden and large inflow from the Keowee Dam (Duke Power Company Project upstream) or an emergency situation at the Hartwell Dam, the spillway gates must be operable to control the release of reservoir waters. Hartwell Dam's spillway gates are functioning as designed.

If you didn't get the expected results, what needs to be done? Not applicable.

Anything else to add? The Hartwell Dam has three spillway gates scheduled for inspection and maintenance starting later this year. We hope that the next testing of the spillway gates will include these gates also.