Grand Rapids Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Grand Rapids Dam (Wabash Locks and Dam) |
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People fishing at the Grand Rapids Dam near Mount Carmel, Illinois in Wabash County, Illinois.
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| Official name | Wabash Lock and Dam, Grand Rapids Dam, or Wabash Locks |
| Location | Wabash County, Illinois and Knox County, Indiana, USA |
| Coordinates | 38°26′7″N 87°44′28″W / 38.43528°N 87.74111°W |
| Construction began | 1897 |
| Operator(s) | Tennessee Valley Authority |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Wabash River |
The Grand Rapids Dam was a structure built on the Wabash River. This river forms part of the border between Illinois and Indiana. The dam was located near the town of Mount Carmel, Illinois. It was built in the late 1890s by the Army Corps of Engineers. Their main goal was to make it easier for boats to travel on the Wabash River.
Contents
Building the Dam: A Big Project
Early Ideas and Challenges
The idea for the Grand Rapids Dam started a long time ago. A company called the Wabash Navigation Company first planned to build it. Both the Illinois and Indiana state governments approved their plan in the early 1800s.
However, building the dam faced a big challenge. In the 1830s, President Andrew Jackson was in charge of the United States. He decided that the federal government would not help pay for the project. This meant the company had to find other ways to fund the dam.
Construction Begins
Even without federal help, work on the dam eventually started. In 1849, the state of Indiana allowed the Wabash Navigation Company to begin building the first part. This first structure was made of timber.
A man named Thomas S. Hinde had surveyed the area earlier. He suggested that the dam should be built there. He also owned land nearby, which would benefit from the dam's water power.
Completing the Dam
While the first steps happened in 1849, the main part of the dam took much longer to finish. The final structure was made of concrete and stone. It was completed in 1897, costing about $260,000. That was a lot of money back then!
After the dam was built, it became a popular spot. Many people came to visit because the fishing below the dam was excellent. The dam helped keep water levels good for fish. In 1922, a hotel called the Grand Rapids Hotel was built nearby. It was built by Frederick Hinde Zimmerman to welcome all the visitors.
The dam and its lock system were used for some time. However, they were no longer needed after 1931.
