Dock Street Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dock Street Dam |
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|---|---|
| Official name | Dock Street Dam |
| Location | Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (Shipoke) and Cumberland County, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates | 40°14′55″N 76°52′43″W / 40.24861°N 76.87861°W |
| Opening date | 1916 |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Susquehanna River |
| Height | 4 feet |
| Length | 3,460 feet (1,050 m) |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Susquehanna River |
The Dock Street Dam is a small dam that stretches across the Susquehanna River. It connects the Shipoke area of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on the east side, with Lemoyne on the west side. This dam helps make the river deeper for fun activities like boating, especially south of the Taylor Bridge.
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The Dock Street Dam
What is the Dock Street Dam?
The Dock Street Dam is known as a "low-head" dam. This means it's not very tall. It doesn't hold back a huge amount of water like some big dams do. Instead, it helps control the river's depth in a specific area.
Where is the Dam Located?
This dam is a key feature of the Susquehanna River in central Pennsylvania. It links the city of Harrisburg with Lemoyne. You can find it near the Shipoke neighborhood in Harrisburg.
Why Was the Dam Built?
The main reason the Dock Street Dam was built was to create a better depth for recreation. Before the dam, parts of the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg were very shallow. The dam helps keep the water deep enough for boats and other water sports.
River Depth and Walking Across
Even with the dam, the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg can still be quite shallow. Sometimes, it's only a few feet deep. It's even possible to walk across the river from one side to the other. This journey is almost a mile long! However, walking across the river is not usually recommended.
Safety Concerns and Solutions
The water right after the dam can be very choppy and strong. This is called turbulence. These strong currents can be dangerous. They can even pull small boats towards the dam. Because of these strong currents, there have been serious safety concerns.
People have suggested ways to make the area safer. One idea is to place large rocks or concrete pieces in the river south of the dam. This could help break up the dangerous currents. However, these safety ideas have not yet been put into action.
Future Ideas for the Dam
There have been discussions about making the dam taller. Raising the dam could make the river even deeper. This would allow for more boating and recreational activities. However, this idea is a bit controversial. This means that not everyone agrees it's a good plan.
