Chicopee Falls Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chicopee Falls Dam |
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Chicopee Falls Dam
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| Official name | Chicopee Falls Dam |
| Location | Chicopee, Massachusetts |
| Coordinates | 42°09′36″N 72°34′51.5″W / 42.16000°N 72.580972°W |
| Construction began | late 1800 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Chicopee River |
| Height | 10 ft (3.05 m) |
| Length | 300 ft (91.44 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Chicopee Reservoir |
The Chicopee Falls Dam is a strong stone wall built across the Chicopee River in Chicopee, Massachusetts. It's like a big barrier that holds back the river's water. This creates a large pool of water called the Chicopee Reservoir. The dam was built a long time ago, in the late 1800s. Today, the city of Chicopee owns and takes care of it.
The dam helps control the river's flow. It also makes the Chicopee Reservoir, which is an important part of the Chicopee River system. This dam is one of the last ones on the river before it flows into the bigger Connecticut River.
Workers have added special boards, called flash-boards, to the top of the dam. These boards help to raise the water level even higher than the dam's original height. So, the dam actually holds back more water than its listed 10 feet (3.05 meters) height suggests.
Dams on the Chicopee River
The Chicopee Falls Dam is not the only dam on the Chicopee River. There are several other important dams along this part of the river. Each one plays a role in managing the water.
Upstream Dams
Moving upstream from the Chicopee Falls Dam, you will find other dams. These include the Indian Orchard Dam, the Putts Bridge Dam, the Collins Hydro Dam, and the Red Bridge Dam.
- The Indian Orchard Dam is made of cut stone. It stands about 28 feet (8.53 meters) above the river.
- The Putts Bridge Dam was built in 1918. It is a concrete structure that rises about 22 feet (6.7 meters) from the riverbed.
- Many of these dams, like the Collins Hydro Dam, are used to create hydroelectric power. This means they use the force of the flowing water to generate electricity.
Downstream Dams
Just a bit downstream from the Chicopee Falls Dam is the Dwight Dam. It is also made of cut stone and is about 15 feet tall. Further downstream, you can find the remains of the old Ames Sword Company Dam. This is the very last dam on the Chicopee River before it joins the Connecticut River.
