Lake Tuscaloosa

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]

Location Tuscaloosa County, Alabama, United States
Coordinates 33°20′35″N 87°33′20″W / 33.34306°N 87.55556°W / 33.34306; -87.55556Coordinates: 33°20′35″N 87°33′20″W / 33.34306°N 87.55556°W / 33.34306; -87.55556
Basin  countries United States
Surface area 5,885 acres (23.82 km2)
Water volume 40,000,000,000 U.S. gallons (150,000,000 m3)
Shore  length1 177 mi (285 km)
Surface  elevation 223.2 ft (68.0 m)
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

History

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