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Claytor Dam
CL sailboats and dam (7563802230) (2).jpg
Claytor Lake just above the dam
Claytor Dam is located in Virginia
Claytor Dam
Location of Claytor Dam in Virginia
Country United States
Location Pulaski County, Virginia
Coordinates 37°4′31.23″N 80°35′5.53″W / 37.0753417°N 80.5848694°W / 37.0753417; -80.5848694
Purpose Power
Status Operational
Opening date 1939; 85 years ago (1939)
Dam and spillways
Type of dam Gravity
Impounds New River
Height 145 ft (44 m)
Length 1,142 ft (348 m)
Spillways 9 sluice gates
Spillway type Controlled, crest overflow
Reservoir
Creates Claytor Lake
Total capacity 225,000 acre⋅ft (278,000,000 m3)
Surface area 4,472 acres (1,810 ha)
Maximum length 21.67 mi (34.87 km)
Maximum water depth 115 ft (35 m)
Normal elevation 1,846 ft (563 m)
Power station
Commission date 1939
Turbines 4 x 18.75 MW Francis-type
Installed capacity 75 MW

The Claytor Dam is a gravity dam on the New River in Pulaski County, Virginia, United States. It is also located about 2.5 mi (4.0 km) south of Radford. It is named after William Graham Claytor, then vice president of Appalachian Power Company (APC), who was instrumental in the dam's construction. APC is now a subsidiary of American Electric Power (AEP) who owns the dam. The primary purpose of the dam is hydroelectric power generation and it supports a 75 MW power station. Its reservoir, Claytor Lake, is also used for recreation. The dam was constructed and its power station commissioned in 1939. It received its first license in 1943. It is 1,142 ft (348 m) long and 145 ft (44 m) tall. It stores a reservoir with a capacity of 225,000 acre⋅ft (278,000,000 m3). The reservoir covers 4,472 acres (1,810 ha) and stretches 21.67 mi (34.87 km) behind the dam.

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