Bad Creek PSS Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(regular)
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This cache is located at a Visitor Overlook at Duke Energy's Bad Creek Pumped Storage Station.
The Bad Creek Pumped Storage Station is open to the public between the hours of 6AM and 6PM. The entrance is at N35° 01.375 W83° 01.333. There is a gate which will open automatically when you approach it. Be sure you exit the facility before closing time or you might be trapped inside!
This facility is an amazing place, coincidentally endowed with some beautiful views. I had the privilege several years ago of accompanying my school's Physics class on a tour of the facility, and it was fascinating! Bad Creek serves as a "battery" for the Duke power system: During periods of lower power demand, water is pumped up from Lake Jocassee into the Bad Creek Reservoir. Then during periods of higher demand, water in the reservoir is allowed to flow back down to the lake, driving turbines and generating electricity. Thus the facility allows Duke Energy to use excess generating capacity to meet peak power demands. (The same thing also happens between Lakes Jocassee and Keowee.)
It's a pretty simple concept, but the execution is amazingly complex. It was quite memorable taking an elevator ride from the surface down 70 stories thru solid rock to the powerhouse. And the lengths they have to go to in handling the extreme pressure from all that water above them were mindboggling. Opening giant valves safely and reliably, synchronizing the frequency and phase of the generated electricity with the existing power grid--all pretty serious engineering issues. Most people have absolutely no idea what it takes to support the simple act of turning on a light switch!
The Visitor Overlook affords spectacular views of Lake Jocassee, and to the south, Lake Keowee. Unfortunately (and probably by design), there is no overlook of the reservoir, but it can be glimpsed off to the right through the trees on the ride in from the entrance.
This facility used to have a visitor center, but it was closed following 9/11. Tours of the facility can still be arranged, however; arrangements can be made at the World of Energy, Duke's energy museum at the Oconee powerplant on Lake Keowee.
The cache is a small Lock&Lock box at the visitor overlook. Enjoy the views!
Also note that you will pass a "degree confluence"--N35° 00.000 W83° 00.000--on the way in. It happens to be right in the road, but site regulations prevent stopping to investigate it, so you'll have to be content with watching the coordinates as you drive by.
Many thanks go to Duke's head of external maintenance for his efforts over a period of about a month to get official approval for the placement of this cache!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
haqre enzc