Lay Dam, Hydroelectric power station on Coosa River, Alabama.
Lay Dam is a hydroelectric power station on the Coosa River spanning Chilton and Coosa Counties near Clanton. It uses a concrete run-of-the-river gravity system to generate power and creates a 12,000-acre reservoir called Lay Lake.
Built in 1914, this was Alabama Power Company's first major project to generate electricity for the region. Its construction flooded the historic Fort Williams site that had been used during the Creek War in the early 1800s.
The dam received recognition on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage in 1976, marking the region's shift toward industrial development in the early 1900s. This recognition reflects how important such infrastructure became to Alabama's growth and economy.
Seven public access points surround Lay Lake, offering fishing opportunities for bass, bluegill, crappie, catfish, and other species throughout the year. These sites provide different vantage points and conditions depending on the season and your fishing preferences.
The dam was originally called Lock 12 Dam until it received its current name in 1929. The renaming honored William Patrick Lay, whose work securing congressional approval made the project possible.
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