Yesterday, you saw one side of Belews Lake. Here you see the side that reminds us that the lake was built as a cooling system for this coal-fired steam station. As stated on Duke Energy's website, "(u)nlike most Duke Energy lakes, there is no hydroelectric generation at this dam so Belews Lake is not under FERC license. It is used as cooling water for the Belews Creek Steam Station." If you happen to hit the stream of water ejected from the plant, you can swim in its warmth even in December.
This week's Thursday Theme is POWER!
What a monstrous building. Interesting that the lake was built just to cool it!
Posted by: Eamon | Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 07:37 AM
Yes, it does look powerful.
A steam station? I never heard that term. It sounds nice; kind of a tongue twister.
Posted by: Dina | Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 08:49 AM
Just wondering what it does to the lake and the environment.
Posted by: Danton | Thursday, July 16, 2009 at 11:50 AM
This is a great lake I fished & hunted it in the early 80's.
The warm water is great for fish & plant growth,so it also helps the
animals that use these resources have a little help getting through winter. It is also great place to go water sking in November in N.C.
Posted by: dan thompson | Friday, July 17, 2009 at 10:06 AM
@ dan thomson
I'm happy you enjoy the fishing and hunting, but what about the crap this plant pumps into the atmosphere?
seems quite a price to pay to catch the occasional fish i would rather no coal-fired power ANYWHERE in the world, and pay money for some farmed fish.
Posted by: Gabor | Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 10:16 AM
@ Gabor
I see your point but I have worked with guys that worked at nuke plants & heard scary stories. N.C. is not a wind energy type state so that kind of limits your choice of energy sources.
AS far as famed fish you are missing the whole point.
Posted by: Dan Thompson | Friday, July 31, 2009 at 03:06 PM