April 26, 1958

Sixty years ago today, Gov. Jim Folsom led a delegation of officials to Cherokee County to turn the first shovels of dirt on the project that became Weiss Dam.

In the years before, Congress removed the restrictions on building dams along the upper Coosa, and Weiss became the first of several such projects along this section of the river. Covering more than 30,000 acres, Weiss Lake has nearly 450 miles of shoreline. Construction started in July 1958, and ended nearly three years later when power generation began in June 1961.

Now known as the “Crappie Capital of the World,” Weiss Lake is a favorite spot for sport fishermen, and is home to several species of bass, sunfish, catfish and bluegill.

Read more at Encyclopedia of Alabama.

Construction at Weiss Dam, 1959. (Alabama Power Company Archives)

James E. “Big Jim” Folsom Sr. served two terms as governor of Alabama (1947-51, 1955-59). Running on a populist platform, Folsom backed progressive political and social reforms. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, courtesy of Alabama Department of Archives and History)

Construction of Weiss Dam spillway gate, 1960. (Alabama Power Company Archives)

Weiss Dam spillway, view from downstream, 1960. (Alabama Power Company Archives)

Weiss Dam draft tube form, 1959. (Alabama Power Company Archives)

Installation of turbine runner cone on Unit No. 1 at Weiss Dam, 1961. (Alabama Power Company Archives)

Construction of the Weiss Dam powerhouse and control room, 1960. (Alabama Power Company Archives)

Aerial view of Weiss Dam and Lake, 1962. (Alabama Power Company Archives)

Weiss Dam on the Coosa River was built by Alabama Power Company in the late 1950s and early 1960s, creating Weiss Lake, which covers more than 30,000 square miles. The dam was named for former Alabama Power Chief Engineer Fernand C. Weiss. (From Encyclopedia of Alabama, courtesy of Alabama Power Company)

For more on Alabama’s Bicentennial, visit Alabama 200.