Williamsport Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Williamsport Dam |
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Hepburn Street dam as seen from the Williamsport side
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| Official name | Hepburn Street Dam |
| Country | United States |
| Location | Williamsport, Pennsylvania |
| Status | Operational |
| Construction began | 1984 |
| Opening date | 1986 |
| Construction cost | $11.9 million (2016 Dollars) |
| Owner(s) | Pennsylvania State Government |
| Operator(s) | Williamsport Water Authority / Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Type of dam | Low head |
| Impounds | West Branch Susquehanna River |
| Height (foundation) | 7 feet (2.1 m) |
| Length | 1,015 feet (309 m) |
The Williamsport Dam, also known as the Hepburn Street Dam, is a special type of dam called a low-head dam. It's built on the West Branch Susquehanna River in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Construction started in 1984 and finished in the spring of 1986. This dam was built to help people enjoy the river more, especially for activities like boating, watersports, and fishing.
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Building the Williamsport Dam
Before the current dam was built, there was an older Hepburn Street Dam. That old dam was made from wooden logs filled with rocks. It also had a wooden "apron" on the downstream side.
The new dam, built between 1984 and 1986, was designed to make the river better for fun activities. Before this dam, the West Branch Susquehanna River was quite shallow. Its average depth was only about 4.6 feet. Some parts were even shallower, making it hard for boats to pass.
After the new dam was built, the river became much deeper. The average depth increased to 8.3 feet. Some areas now reach over 20 feet deep. This deeper water makes it much easier and safer for boating and other water sports.
Generating Power at the Dam
Since the dam was rebuilt, people in Williamsport have thought about using it to make electricity. This is called hydroelectric power. It means using the force of moving water to spin turbines and create electricity.
Several companies have looked into this idea. However, it has been hard to find a way to make enough electricity to be worth the cost.
In 2016, a company that builds hydropower projects thought they had a solution. They believed their special technology could make it possible to generate clean electricity at the dam. This company, Hydro Green Energy, applied for a permit to study the idea. If they got the permit, they would have the first chance to apply for a license to build and run the power plant.
The plan was to build a large module with 10 powerful turbines. These turbines would be placed on the Williamsport side of the dam. They would be about 25 feet deep. The project aimed to produce a lot of electricity each year. This power would then be sold to a power company or a factory. There is already an electrical substation nearby, which would make it easier to connect the new power plant.
Helping Fish Cross the Dam
The Hepburn Street Dam has a special structure called a fish ladder. This ladder is located on the South Williamsport side of the dam. A fish ladder helps fish swim past the dam. It's like a set of steps or pools that fish can jump or swim through to get to the other side.
The dam did not have a fish ladder when it was first built. But in the 1990s, people asked local officials to add one. This was especially important for fish like American shad, which swim upstream to lay their eggs.
In 2014, the fish ladder was rebuilt and made better. It was made wider to prevent sticks and other debris from getting stuck. More lanes were also added. This allows more fish to use the ladder and continue their journey upstream.
Images for kids
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Hepburn Street dam as seen from the Williamsport side
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Dam in 1911
