Bosher Dam facts for kids

Bosher's Dam is a historic structure on the James River near Richmond, Virginia. It is a type of low dam, also known as a weir. This 12-foot-high stone dam changes the natural flow of Virginia's largest river. It stretches across the river between Tuckahoe in Henrico County and western Richmond.

History of Bosher's Dam

The dam was built in 1835. It stands where an older dam used to be, which was designed to catch fish. The current dam was part of a big project called the James River and Kanawha Canal. This canal was important for transportation in the 1800s.

Why the Dam Was Built

The main goal in 1835 was to help boats get around the Falls of the James. These falls are a rocky, fast-moving part of the river near Richmond. They blocked river travel for about ten miles. The dam helped create enough water depth for the canal. This canal eventually became a 22-mile long pathway along the north side of the James River. The dam might also have provided power for nearby mills.

Modern Changes and Fish Migration

In recent years, many low dams have been removed from American rivers. This is done to help fish return to their natural spawning grounds. Spawning grounds are places where fish lay their eggs. Other dams near Charlottesville and Fredericksburg have been removed for this reason.

Helping Fish Cross the Dam

Fish like shad, herring, and striped bass swim upstream to lay their eggs. This usually happens between March and early June. Bosher's Dam used to block these fish from traveling over 300 miles upstream. This included parts of the James River and other rivers like the Rivanna.

The Fish Ladder

Instead of removing Bosher's Dam, a special structure called a fish ladder was built next to it. This fish ladder opened in 1999. It is a 17-inch-wide pathway that allows migratory fish to swim around the dam. This helps them reach their spawning areas upstream.

Boating on the River

While the dam still helps get water into the canal, it also makes this part of the James River good for powerboating. Activities like waterskiing, usually done on lakes, are possible here. This might be why the dam was not removed like others.

The Future of Bosher's Dam

There are plans for the area around Bosher's Dam. About 10 acres north of the dam are part of the James River Park System. This offers a chance to create more public access to this beautiful area.

Generating Electricity

The dam might also be updated to create electricity. This project would add a turbine to generate power. It would include:

• The existing 12-foot-high dam.
• A large water storage area (impoundment).
• New structures to take in and release water.
• Four new turbines, each producing 2 megawatts of power.
• A new powerhouse and substation.
• A new power line.

This project could generate about 68,500 megawatt-hours of electricity each year.

A Park for the Community?

People in the Richmond area have asked: "Should a park be created at Bosher’s Dam?" This idea would give more people a chance to enjoy this scenic spot.