After Georgia Power applied for a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) license to operate the plant in 1972, they began to carry out design studies and plans for land acquisition.

On 15 December 1988, the two power companies reached an agreement after Oglethorpe received a US$706.8 million loan guarantee.

The upgrade may seem early for the young power plant but the turbines, pumps and inlet valves were purchased before construction was suspended and sat in storage.

During these periods, water from the upper reservoir is released down to the power plant to produce hydroelectricity.

The composite dam is 120 feet (37 m) tall and the gravity section features a spillway with two tainter gates.

Auxiliary Pool I is located just north of the lower reservoir and covers an area of 400 acres (160 ha).

Auxiliary Pool II is located west of the lower reservoir and covers an area of 200 acres (81 ha).

The difference in elevation between the upper and lower reservoirs affords the power plant a minimum net hydraulic head of 613 feet (187 m).