Kelly Barnes Dam - History

History

In 1899, the original rock crib dam was completed by Mr. E. P. Simpson in order to create a reservoir for a small hydroelectric power plant which began operating that same year. The plant, now a historical site on the Toccoa Falls College campus and called The Old Toccoa Falls Power Plant produced 200 KW (0.2 MW) for the town of Toccoa, Georgia. After receiving the power plant in 1933, the Toccoa Falls Institute wanted to develop a more stable electric power source and built an earthen embankment dam over the original rock crib dam between 1939 and 1940. After the Second World War, the dam was again raised. Barnes Lake, a 40-acre (16 ha) reservoir was created by the dam. The modifications provided power for Toccoa Falls Institute until 1957, when the power production was stopped, and the lake was only used for recreational purposes.