Wrightsville Dam facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wrightsville dam |
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|---|---|
| Official name | Wrightsville Dam |
| Location | Lancaster / York counties, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Construction began | 1840 |
| Opening date | 1840 |
| Operator(s) | defunct |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Impounds | Susquehanna River |
| Height | 10 feet |
| Length | ~5,000 feet |
The Wrightsville Dam was a special structure built a long time ago, in the 1800s. It was located on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, connecting the towns of Wrightsville and Columbia, Pennsylvania. This dam played an important role in helping boats travel across the wide river.
What Was the Wrightsville Dam?
The Wrightsville Dam was a type of dam called a low-head dam. This means it wasn't very tall, only about 10 feet high. Even though it was low, it was very long, stretching about 5,000 feet across the river! It was built in 1840 to help boats move safely.
Why Was the Dam Built?
Before the dam, the Susquehanna River in this area was wide and full of rocks. This made it very difficult and dangerous for boats to cross. People needed a way to get boats from one side of the river to the other.
- Connecting Canals: The main reason for the dam was to connect two important waterways:
- The Pennsylvania Canal on the Columbia side (in Lancaster County).
- The Susquehanna and Tidewater Canal on the Wrightsville side (in York County).
- Creating a Pool: The dam helped to impound the river's water. This means it held back the water, making it deeper and calmer. This created a "slackwater pool" – a quiet, still area of water.
- Safe Passage for Boats: This calm, deep pool allowed canal boats to cross the river easily and safely. Without the dam, the boats would have struggled with the shallow, rocky parts of the river.
How Did It Help Boats?
Canal boats were like long, flat boats used to carry goods and people. They traveled along canals, which are man-made waterways. When a canal ended at a wide river like the Susquehanna, there was a problem. The Wrightsville Dam solved this by:
- Making the water deep enough for the boats.
- Making the water calm, so boats didn't get stuck or damaged by rocks.
This made it possible for goods and people to travel smoothly between the two canal systems, helping trade and transportation in the region.
