Lake Tuscaloosa

American water reservoir in west-central Alabama

Lake Tuscaloosa is a reservoir in west-central Alabama. It was created by damming North River. It was built to provide water for people living in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and also for industrial use. It was completed in 1970. It cost about $7,725,000. The lake is very popular for recreational activities.[1]

Lake Tuscaloosa
Looking northward from atop the dam and spillway, along Tuscaloosa County Road 87.
LocationTuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States
Coordinates33°20′35″N 87°33′20″W / 33.34306°N 87.55556°W / 33.34306; -87.55556
Basin countriesUnited States
Surface area5,885 acres (23.82 km2)
Water volume40,000,000,000 U.S. gallons (150,000,000 m3)
Shore length1177 mi (285 km)
Surface elevation223.2 ft (68.0 m)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

History

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Lake Tuscaloosa was built because because more people were living in Tuscaloosa. The reservoirs already there, Harris Lake and Lake Nicol, didn't provide enough water. A dam was built on North River. When that dam filled, the water behind it became Lake Tuscaloosa. Lake Tuscaloosa provides more water than either of the other two reservoirs. Lake Tuscaloosa's water is treated to make it safe for people to drink. It also provides untreated water for industrial use.[2]

References

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