it allows these other plants to operate at close to peak efficiency for an overall cost savings. Back Creek and Little Back Creek, the water sources used to create the reservoirs, have a relatively small flow rate. However, since water is pumped between the reservoirs equally, the only water taken from these creeks now that the reservoirs are full is to replace the water lost to evaporation. During operation, the water level fluctuates by over in the upper reservoir and feet in the lower reservoir. When generating power, the water flow can be as much as per minute (850 m3/s). When storing power, the flow can be as much as per minute (800 m3/s). Environment A fishing habitat was created downstream of the facility. In times of drought water quality can be maintained by using nearby recreational reservoirs to supply extra water to the creeks. The creeks and recreational reservoirs have water quality sufficient for fish. See also List of energy storage projects Pumped-storage hydroelectricity List of largest hydroelectric power stations in the United States References External links Dominion Resources FirstEnergy Bath County Pumped Storage Station Home Page Energy infrastructure completed in 1985 Buildings and structures in Bath County, Virginia Hydroelectric power plants in Virginia Pumped-storage hydroelectric power stations in the United States Dams in Virginia 1985 establishments in Virginia Earth-filled dams Rock-filled dams Dams completed in 1985