2/18/2009 Duke Energy Press Release: Lake Emory back up after dam repairs

Looking upriver from Franklin Dam on the Little Tennessee River, it is clear that Lake Emory returned to normal level this week. It was lowered to permit federally required repairs to the Franklin Hydroelectric Project. The drawdown was coordinated with state and federal natural resources agencies. The 174 acre, 4.6 mile long reservoir runs from the 4-lane to the dam. Large debris that came downriver in early January damaged the metal floodgates atop the dam. The hydro project was built by the Town of Franklin in 1925 and sold to Nantahala Power and Light in 1931. Duke Energy became the owner upon purchasing NP&L 21 years ago.