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Show opened to navigation in 1925 and the latter in 1926. Construction of the lock of the Wheeler Dam site was initiated in 1932 and was well under way when the Tennessee Valley Authority was created in 1933. This project, together with Hales Bar, Wil- son and No. 1 were made integral parts of the multiple-purpose system developed later by the Au- thority. Proposals of the Corps of Engineers "308 Report" Between 1925 and 1931, the Corps of Engineers completed its survey of the Tennessee River and its tributaries.11 This "308 Report" proposed, as one possible plan of development, the construction of seven high dams on the main river in addition to the two already constructed at Wilson and Hales Bar. The existing low-head dam at Widows Bar was to be submerged by Guntersville Dam. The dams proposed in this plan were as follows: These dams were for the purpose of improving navigation, providing flood control, and generating hydroelectric power. They were designed to pro- vide a 9-foot channel from the mouth of the river to above Knoxville, and a considerable degree of flood control, by using a 10-foot surcharge above normal pool levels for storage of flood peaks. The cost of the high-dam plan for the main river was estimated at approximately 249 million dollars on the basis of 1930 prices. In addition to these projects on the main river, a large number of projects were proposed on the major tributaries. Many of these were for navi- gation, flood control, and power combined; others were for two of these purposes; and still others were for a single purpose. However, because of uncertainties at that time as to Federal powers for constructing projects for u H. Doc. No. 328, 71st Cong., 2d sess. (1930). flood control and power, an alternative plan was proposed-a single-purpose navigation program calling for construction of 32 low dams and locks on the main river averaging approximately 12 feet in height. These dams were intended to provide a 9-foot navigation channel; they would have given no flood control storage and no hydroelectric power. The low-dam plan, however, contained provision for the following modifications: Under the provi- sions of the Federal Water Power Act" a high dam with locks might be built by private interests, States, or municipalities, and substituted for any two or more of the low dams; and in case high dams were built before the projected locks and low dams, the United States should contribute to the cost of the substituted structures an amount equal to the esti- mated cost of the navigation works for which sub- stitution would be made. Actually, the 32 low dams were never considered seriously as it was soon found that there would be greater economy in higher dams. Before the report was printed the Corps of Engineers had started designs for a series of about 12 dams of intermediate height, some of which were to include flood control storage, and nearly all of which were to have power generating equipment. These plans included Wheeler lock and dam as one of the series, the de- signs for which were largely completed by 1932. The series also included the Aurora Landing and Pickwick Landing Dams as given in the high-dam plan. Studies on projects farther upstream had been begun at the time the Tennessee Valley Au- thority was created. At this time, the Corps of Engineers also had nearly completed plans and specifications for the Norris Dam on the Clinch River, to provide flood control and power.13 This was the first of a series of dams proposed on the principal tributaries. Ap- propriation for its construction was made at the time the TVA Act was passed. Reasons for Choice of a High-Dam System The low-dam system on the main river would not have provided either flood control or power generation. Furthermore, it was soon apparent that the estimated costs for this system were far too low; that a 9-foot channel could be obtained only by higher dams or by dredging; that sedimentation in M Act of June 10, 1920, 41 Stat. 1063, 16 U. S. C. 791a-825r. 18 Then known as Cove Creek Dam. 717 Approxi-Head mate mileage Feet Aurora Landing................ 50 43 Pickwick Landing.............. 56 206 Wheeler....................... 46 275 Guntersville................... 38 354 Ghickamauga.................. 47 472 White Creek................... 64 543 Coulter Shoals................. 62 605 |