Davis Island Lock and Dam Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Davis Island Lock and Dam Site
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 Location in Pennsylvania
Location in the United States
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| Location | Off Pennsylvania Route 65, Avalon, Pennsylvania |
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| Built | 1885 |
| Architect | Army Corps of Engineers |
| NRHP reference No. | 80003400 |
| Added to NRHP | August 29, 1980 |
The Davis Island Lock and Dam Site is a historic place on the Ohio River in Avalon, Pennsylvania. It's where the very first dam and lock on the Ohio River were built. This important project was finished in 1885.
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What Was the Davis Island Lock and Dam?
A lock and dam system helps boats travel safely on a river. It also controls the water level. The Davis Island Lock and Dam was used from 1878 to 1922. It was designed by William Emery Merrill and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Building the First Dam
This was the very first dam ever built on the Ohio River! It officially opened on October 7, 1885. There was a big celebration to mark the occasion. The Davis Island Dam was also special because it was the largest "Chanoine dam" built in the 1800s. Chanoine dams use special movable gates to control water flow. This dam was also one of the first concrete structures built by the Army Corps of Engineers. It was the first of 51 similar dams built by the Corps between 1878 and 1929.
A Historic Landmark
The dam was taken apart in 1922. It was replaced by the Emsworth Locks and Dam. The new dam is less than a mile downstream from the original site. Even though the dam is gone, the site is still important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on August 29, 1980. This means it's a place with special historical meaning. In 1985, it was also named a National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark. This award comes from the American Society of Civil Engineers.
What Happens There Today?
Today, the site is owned by the West View Water Authority. It is mainly used to pump water from the Ohio River. This water then gets cleaned and sent to nearby towns. People in these communities use it for drinking and other daily needs.
