Introduction
Water has always been a vital resource for human civilization, and controlling it has been a cornerstone of our technological advancement. In the United States, dams have played a crucial role in shaping the landscape, providing power, controlling floods, and supporting recreation for centuries. Today, we embark on a journey through time to explore the 20 oldest dams in the USA, some of which still stand as a testament to early American engineering prowess.
These ancient sentinels of our waterways have witnessed the growth of a nation, from the early days of the republic to the modern era. Each dam tells a story of human ingenuity, environmental change, and the ever-evolving relationship between people and the natural world. As we delve into their histories, we’ll uncover fascinating details about their construction, purposes, and the communities they’ve served for generations.
Map of Oldest Dams in the USA
Before we dive into the details of each dam, let’s take a quick look at the 20 oldest dams in the USA according to the NID data:
- Conway Lake Dam (1763)
- Thompson Lake Dam (1800)
- Wesserunsett Dam (1800)
- Cossayuna Lake Outlet Dam (1815)
- Lake St George Dam (1820)
- Milton Three Ponds Dam (1824)
- Great East Lake Dam (1825)
- Enfield Dam (1825)
- Songo Lock Dam (1830)
- White Oak Pond Dam (1830)
- Buckeye Lake Dam (1832)
- Bow Lake Dam (1832)
- Hamilton Lake-North Dam (1832)
- Hamilton Lake-South Dam (1832)
- Moosehead – East Outlet Dam (1835)
- Webster Lake Dam – East (1835)
- West Grand Lake Dam (1836)
- Rangeley Dam (1836)
- Lake Geneva Dam (1836)
- Manchaug Pond Dam (1836)
Now, let’s explore each of these historic structures in detail, uncovering their unique characteristics and the roles they’ve played in American history.
1. Conway Lake Dam (1763)
As we begin our journey through America’s oldest dams, we start with the Conway Lake Dam, a structure that predates the United States itself.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Conway, Carroll County, New Hampshire |
| River | Tributary of Saco River |
| Year Completed | 1763 |
| Dam Type | Earthen embankment |
| Height | 17 ft (5 m) |
| Length | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Max Storage | 14,784 acre-feet (18,236 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Town of Conway |
Built in the colonial era, the Conway Lake Dam stands as a testament to early American engineering. This earthen embankment dam, though modest in size, has played a crucial role in shaping the local landscape for over two and a half centuries. Its primary purpose today is recreation, providing a serene lake setting for the residents of Conway and visitors to enjoy.
The dam’s longevity is remarkable, having withstood countless New England winters and spring floods. Its continued operation speaks to the foresight of its original designers and the diligent maintenance efforts of subsequent generations.
2. Thompson Lake Dam (1800)
As we move into the 19th century, we encounter the Thompson Lake Dam, built at the turn of the century.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Oxford County, Maine |
| River | Thompson Lake River |
| Year Completed | 1800 |
| Dam Type | Stone concrete |
| Height | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Length | 35 ft (11 m) |
| Max Storage | 29,980 acre-feet (36,980 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Secondary Purposes | Navigation, Recreation, Water Supply |
| Owner | Oxford |
The Thompson Lake Dam represents a shift in dam construction techniques, utilizing stone concrete instead of earth. This dam is a multitasker, serving not only for hydroelectric power generation but also aiding navigation, recreation, and water supply.
Its relatively small size belies its importance to the local community. The dam has been modified over the years, with significant work done in 1974, showcasing how these historic structures can be adapted to meet changing needs while preserving their core functions.
3. Wesserunsett Dam (1800)
Sharing its birth year with Thompson Lake Dam, the Wesserunsett Dam stands as another example of early 19th-century water management.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Madison, Somerset County, Maine |
| River | Mill Stream River |
| Year Completed | 1800 |
| Dam Type | Concrete earth |
| Height | 11 ft (3 m) |
| Length | 147 ft (45 m) |
| Max Storage | 12,550 acre-feet (15,480 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Flood Risk Reduction |
| Secondary Purposes | Fire Protection, Fish and Wildlife Pond, Recreation |
| Owner | Madison |
The Wesserunsett Dam showcases the versatility of early American dams. While its primary purpose is flood risk reduction, it also serves multiple secondary functions, including fire protection and supporting local wildlife. This multi-use approach demonstrates the holistic thinking of early water resource managers.
The dam’s concrete earth construction represents a hybrid approach, combining the strength of concrete with the natural properties of earth. Like many dams of its era, it has undergone modifications, with work done in 1976 to ensure its continued effectiveness.
4. Cossayuna Lake Outlet Dam (1815)
Moving further into the 19th century, we come to the Cossayuna Lake Outlet Dam, built in the midst of the War of 1812.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Cossayuna, Washington County, New York |
| River | Whittaker Brook River |
| Year Completed | 1815 |
| Dam Type | Earthen embankment |
| Height | 10 ft (3 m) |
| Length | 200 ft (61 m) |
| Max Storage | 7,908 acre-feet (9,754 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Cossayuna Lake Improvement Inc |
The Cossayuna Lake Outlet Dam returns to the earthen embankment design, showcasing the continued relevance of this ancient dam-building technique. Despite its relatively small size, the dam plays a crucial role in maintaining Cossayuna Lake, a vital recreational resource for the local community.
The dam’s controlled spillway, 17 feet (5 m) wide, allows for precise management of water levels, balancing the needs of recreation with responsible water management. This level of control was quite advanced for its time and continues to serve the community well today.
5. Lake St George Dam (1820)
As we approach the end of the first quarter of the 19th century, we encounter the Lake St George Dam.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Waldo County, Maine |
| River | St. George River |
| Year Completed | 1820 |
| Dam Type | Stone rockfill gravity |
| Height | 15 ft (5 m) |
| Length | 80 ft (24 m) |
| Max Storage | 6,400 acre-feet (7,894 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Secondary Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Liberty |
The Lake St George Dam introduces us to yet another dam construction technique: the stone rockfill gravity dam. This hybrid approach combines the strength of a gravity dam with the stability provided by rockfill, resulting in a structure that has stood the test of time for over two centuries.
Originally built for hydroelectric purposes, the dam now also serves a crucial recreational role. This dual-purpose use is a common theme among many of America’s oldest dams, reflecting changing societal needs and the adaptability of these structures.
6. Milton Three Ponds Dam (1824)
As we move further into the 1820s, we come across the Milton Three Ponds Dam.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Milton, Strafford County, New Hampshire |
| River | Salmon Falls River |
| Year Completed | 1824 |
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| Height | 19 ft (6 m) |
| Length | 156 ft (48 m) |
| Max Storage | 15,000 acre-feet (18,502 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | NH DES Water Division |
The Milton Three Ponds Dam represents a shift towards more modern construction techniques, being built entirely of concrete. This material choice has contributed to its longevity and ability to withstand the forces of nature for nearly two centuries.
The dam’s impressive spillway capacity of 8,475 cubic feet per second (240 cubic meters per second) speaks to its crucial role in managing water flow on the Salmon Falls River. Despite its age, recent inspections have deemed it to be in poor condition, highlighting the ongoing challenges of maintaining these historic structures.
7. Great East Lake Dam (1825)
Built just a year after the Milton Three Ponds Dam, the Great East Lake Dam continues our journey through New Hampshire’s historic water infrastructure.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Wakefield, Carroll County, New Hampshire |
| River | Salmon Falls River |
| Year Completed | 1825 |
| Dam Type | Concrete |
| Height | 15 ft (5 m) |
| Length | 68 ft (21 m) |
| Max Storage | 27,700 acre-feet (34,167 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | NH DES Water Division |
The Great East Lake Dam, like its slightly older neighbor, is a concrete structure primarily serving recreational purposes. Its location on the Salmon Falls River underscores the importance of this waterway to the region’s development and recreation.
Despite its age, the dam continues to play a vital role in water management, with a spillway capacity of 1,305 cubic feet per second (37 cubic meters per second). However, like many of its contemporaries, it faces ongoing maintenance challenges, with recent inspections rating its condition as poor.
8. Enfield Dam (1825)
Sharing its birth year with the Great East Lake Dam, the Enfield Dam takes us to Connecticut and introduces us to a unique construction style.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Enfield, Hartford County, Connecticut |
| River | Connecticut River |
| Year Completed | 1825 |
| Dam Type | Concrete timber crib stone |
| Height | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Length | 1,550 ft (472 m) |
| Max Storage | 10,744 acre-feet (13,253 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Ahlstrom Nonwovens, LLC |
The Enfield Dam stands out among its peers with its unique concrete timber crib stone construction. This hybrid approach combines the strength of concrete and stone with the flexibility of timber, resulting in a structure that has endured for nearly two centuries.
At 1,550 feet (472 m) long, it’s one of the longest dams on our list, spanning a significant portion of the Connecticut River. Its impressive spillway capacity of 125,226 cubic feet per second (3,546 cubic meters per second) underscores its crucial role in managing one of New England’s major waterways.
9. Songo Lock Dam (1830)
As we enter the 1830s, we encounter the Songo Lock Dam, a structure that played a vital role in early American transportation.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Cumberland County, Maine |
| River | Songo River |
| Year Completed | 1830 |
| Dam Type | Concrete earth gravity |
| Height | 19 ft (6 m) |
| Length | 160 ft (49 m) |
| Max Storage | 18,330 acre-feet (22,610 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Navigation |
| Secondary Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | State of Maine, Bureau of Parks and Lands |
The Songo Lock Dam is unique among our list for its primary purpose: navigation. This dam, with its integrated lock system, played a crucial role in early American commerce, allowing boats to navigate between different water levels.
Its concrete earth gravity construction combines the stability of a gravity dam with the natural properties of earth, resulting in a structure that has stood the test of time. The dam’s dual purpose of navigation and recreation showcases how these structures have adapted to changing societal needs over the decades.
10. White Oak Pond Dam (1830)
Sharing its birth year with the Songo Lock Dam, the White Oak Pond Dam takes us to Pennsylvania.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Wayne County, Pennsylvania |
| River | Tributary to West Branch Lackawaxen River |
| Year Completed | 1830 |
| Dam Type | Earthen embankment |
| Height | 26 ft (8 m) |
| Length | 300 ft (91 m) |
| Max Storage | 5,868 acre-feet (7,238 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | PA Fish & Boat Commission |
The White Oak Pond Dam returns us to the earthen embankment design, a testament to the enduring effectiveness of this ancient dam-building technique. At 26 feet (8 m) high, it’s one of the taller dams on our list of the oldest in the USA.
Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its primary recreational purpose, maintaining White Oak Pond for fishing and other water activities. Its ownership by the PA Fish & Boat Commission underscores its importance to local wildlife and recreation.
11. Buckeye Lake Dam (1832)
As we move further into the 1830s, we encounter the Buckeye Lake Dam in Ohio.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Buckeye Lake, Licking County, Ohio |
| River | Tributary to South Fork Licking River |
| Year Completed | 1832 |
| Dam Type | Other |
| Height | 15 ft (5 m) |
| Length | 21,700 ft (6,614 m) |
| Max Storage | 20,000 acre-feet (24,670 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | ODNR, Division of Parks & Watercraft |
The Buckeye Lake Dam stands out among our list for its extraordinary length. At 21,700 feet (6,614 m), it’s by far the longest dam on our list. This impressive structure has played a crucial role in creating and maintaining Buckeye Lake, a major recreational resource for central Ohio.
Despite its age, the dam boasts impressive features, with a spillway discharge capacity of 20,700 cubic feet per second (586 cubic meters per second). Recent inspections have rated its condition as satisfactory, a testament to ongoing maintenance efforts and the dam’s robust design.
12. Bow Lake Dam (1832)
Sharing its birth year with Buckeye Lake Dam, the Bow Lake Dam brings us back to New Hampshire.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Strafford, Strafford County, New Hampshire |
| River | Isinglass River |
| Year Completed | 1832 |
| Dam Type | Earthen embankment |
| Height | 24 ft (7 m) |
| Length | 400 ft (122 m) |
| Max Storage | 22,380 acre-feet (27,605 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | NH DES Water Division |
The Bow Lake Dam is another example of the enduring earthen embankment design. Its substantial length and height have allowed it to create and maintain Bow Lake, a significant recreational resource for the region.
Like many dams of its era, Bow Lake Dam has undergone modifications over the years, with significant work done in 1968. However, recent inspections have rated its condition as poor, highlighting the ongoing challenges of maintaining these historic structures.
13. Hamilton Lake-North Dam (1832)
The Hamilton Lake-North Dam, along with its southern counterpart, represents a pair of dams built to manage a single body of water.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Steuben County, Indiana |
| River | Fish Creek River |
| Year Completed | 1832 |
| Dam Type | Earthen embankment |
| Height | 16 ft (5 m) |
| Length | 104 ft (32 m) |
| Max Storage | 18,000 acre-feet (22,203 ML) |
| Owner | Indiana Department of Natural Resources |
The Hamilton Lake-North Dam is part of a pair of dams controlling Hamilton Lake. This earthen embankment structure, though modest in size, plays a crucial role in maintaining water levels and managing outflow into Fish Creek River.
Despite its age, the dam continues to serve its purpose effectively, with a spillway discharge capacity of 472 cubic feet per second (13 cubic meters per second). Recent inspections have rated its condition as fair, indicating that it continues to perform its duties adequately nearly two centuries after its construction.
14. Hamilton Lake-South Dam (1832)
The southern counterpart to the Hamilton Lake-North Dam, this structure completes the pair managing Hamilton Lake.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Steuben County, Indiana |
| River | Fish Creek River |
| Year Completed | 1832 |
| Dam Type | Earthen embankment |
| Height | 21 ft (6 m) |
| Length | 280 ft (85 m) |
| Max Storage | 18,000 acre-feet (22,203 ML) |
| Owner | Indiana Department of Natural Resources |
The Hamilton Lake-South Dam, while sharing many characteristics with its northern counterpart, is notably longer and slightly taller. Together, these two dams work in concert to manage Hamilton Lake’s water levels and outflow.
Like its northern sibling, this dam has a spillway discharge capacity of 472 cubic feet per second (13 cubic meters per second). However, recent inspections have rated its condition as poor, underscoring the challenges of maintaining these historic structures and the need for ongoing investment in their upkeep.
15. Moosehead – East Outlet Dam (1835)
As we move towards the mid-1830s, we encounter one of the largest dams on our list in terms of water storage.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | The Forks, Somerset County, Maine |
| River | Kennebec River |
| Year Completed | 1835 |
| Dam Type | Concrete earth gravity |
| Height | 26 ft (8 m) |
| Length | 1,004 ft (306 m) |
| Max Storage | 1,080,000 acre-feet (1,332,158 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Secondary Purposes | Recreation, Water Supply, Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Kennebec Water Power Company |
The Moosehead – East Outlet Dam stands out for its impressive water storage capacity, managing over a million acre-feet of water. This makes it a crucial piece of infrastructure for managing the Kennebec River’s flow and supporting multiple uses, from hydroelectric power generation to flood control.
The dam’s concrete earth gravity design combines the strength of concrete with the natural properties of earth, resulting in a structure that has withstood nearly two centuries of service. Its impressive spillway discharge capacity of 54,000 cubic feet per second (1,529 cubic meters per second) underscores its vital role in managing one of Maine’s major waterways.
16. Webster Lake Dam – East (1835)
Sharing its birth year with the Moosehead – East Outlet Dam, the Webster Lake Dam – East takes us to Indiana.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Kosciusko County, Indiana |
| River | Tippecanoe River |
| Year Completed | 1835 |
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| Height | 12 ft (4 m) |
| Length | 38 ft (12 m) |
| Max Storage | 7,545 acre-feet (9,307 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Steve Bryant |
The Webster Lake Dam – East is a relatively small gravity dam that plays a crucial role in maintaining Webster Lake. Despite its modest size, it manages a significant amount of water and helps control the flow into the Tippecanoe River.
The dam’s gravity design relies on its own weight to resist the horizontal pressure of the water, a simple yet effective approach that has served well for nearly two centuries. However, recent inspections have rated its condition as poor, highlighting the ongoing challenges of maintaining these historic structures.
17. West Grand Lake Dam (1836)
As we enter 1836, we encounter the West Grand Lake Dam in Maine.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Grand Lake Stream, Washington County, Maine |
| River | West Branch St. Croix River |
| Year Completed | 1836 |
| Dam Type | Timber crib earth |
| Height | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Length | 487 ft (148 m) |
| Max Storage | 160,900 acre-feet (198,467 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | Woodland Pulp, LLC |
The West Grand Lake Dam introduces us to yet another dam construction technique: the timber crib earth dam. This hybrid approach combines the strength of a timber frame with the mass of earth fill, resulting in a structure that has stood the test of time for nearly two centuries.
Despite its relatively modest height, the dam manages a substantial amount of water, playing a crucial role in hydroelectric power generation. Its controlled spillway, 40 feet (12 m) wide, allows for precise management of water levels, balancing the needs of power generation with responsible water management.
18. Rangeley Dam (1836)
Also completed in 1836, the Rangeley Dam showcases the multifaceted nature of many of these historic dams.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Rangeley, Franklin County, Maine |
| River | Rangeley River |
| Year Completed | 1836 |
| Dam Type | Concrete gravity |
| Height | 17 ft (5 m) |
| Length | 280 ft (85 m) |
| Max Storage | 39,194 acre-feet (48,345 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Secondary Purposes | Fire Protection, Fish and Wildlife Pond, Recreation, Water Supply, Flood Risk Reduction |
| Owner | Brookfield Renewable Energy Group – Northeast Operations |
The Rangeley Dam stands out for its diverse range of purposes. While primarily built for hydroelectric power generation, it also serves crucial roles in fire protection, wildlife conservation, recreation, water supply, and flood control. This multi-use approach demonstrates the adaptability and importance of these historic structures to their local communities.
The dam’s concrete gravity design has proven durable, withstanding nearly two centuries of service. Its 75-foot (23 m) wide spillway allows for effective management of water levels, balancing its multiple uses.
19. Lake Geneva Dam (1836)
Continuing our journey through 1836, we come to the Lake Geneva Dam in Wisconsin.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Lake Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin |
| River | White River |
| Year Completed | 1836 |
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| Height | 14 ft (4 m) |
| Length | 300 ft (91 m) |
| Max Storage | 40,000 acre-feet (49,339 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Recreation |
| Owner | Lake Level Board |
The Lake Geneva Dam plays a crucial role in maintaining the water levels of the popular Lake Geneva. Its gravity design has proven effective for nearly two centuries, helping to create and preserve one of Wisconsin’s premier recreational lakes.
Despite its age, the dam continues to perform well, with recent inspections rating its condition as satisfactory. Its controlled spillway, capable of discharging 650 cubic feet per second (18 cubic meters per second), allows for effective management of lake levels and outflow into the White River.
20. Manchaug Pond Dam (1836)
We conclude our journey through America’s oldest dams with the Manchaug Pond Dam in Massachusetts.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Worcester County, Massachusetts |
| River | Unnamed Tributary of Mumford River |
| Year Completed | 1836 |
| Dam Type | Masonry |
| Height | 28 ft (9 m) |
| Length | 330 ft (101 m) |
| Max Storage | 6,500 acre-feet (8,018 ML) |
| Primary Purpose | Other |
| Owner | Town of Sutton, Board of Selectmen |
The Manchaug Pond Dam stands out among our list for its masonry construction, a testament to the skilled stonework of 19th-century builders. At 28 feet (9 m) high, it’s one of the taller dams on our list, playing a crucial role in managing water levels on an unnamed tributary of the Mumford River.
While its primary purpose is listed simply as “Other,” the dam likely serves multiple functions for the local community, potentially including flood control, recreation, and water supply. Recent inspections have rated its condition as fair, indicating that it continues to perform its duties adequately nearly two centuries after its construction.
Conclusion
As we conclude our journey through the 20 oldest dams in the USA, we’re left with a profound appreciation for the ingenuity, foresight, and craftsmanship of early American engineers and builders. These structures, some predating the nation itself, have played crucial roles in shaping the American landscape, supporting economic development, and providing vital services to communities for centuries.
From the humble earthen embankment of Conway Lake Dam to the massive water storage of Moosehead – East Outlet Dam, each of these structures tells a unique story of human interaction with the natural world. They stand as testaments to our ability to harness nature’s power while also highlighting the ongoing challenges of maintaining and adapting aging infrastructure.
These dams have witnessed the growth of a nation, from its early agricultural and industrial beginnings to the modern era of recreation and environmental consciousness. Many have evolved in their purposes, adapting to changing societal needs while continuing to serve their communities faithfully.
However, our journey also reveals the challenges facing these historic structures. Many are in need of repair or rehabilitation, highlighting the crucial importance of ongoing maintenance and investment in our water infrastructure. As we look to the future, the lessons learned from these venerable dams will be invaluable in designing and maintaining the water management systems of tomorrow.
These 20 oldest dams in the USA are more than just feats of engineering; they are living pieces of American history. They remind us of our past, serve our present, and offer valuable lessons for our future. As we continue to grapple with water management challenges in the face of climate change and growing populations, these ancient sentinels of our waterways stand as both inspiration and warning, urging us to respect the power of water and the importance of sustainable, long-term thinking in our infrastructure planning.