Holyoke Dam - Holyoke and South Hadley, MA - Water Dams on Waymarking.com

Holyoke was America's first planned industrial city. In 1847, developers from Boston decided to take advantage of the water power potential of a 57' foot drop in the Connecticut River at South Hadley Falls by constructing a dam and a network of canals. In 1847 construction began on an abortive attempt to dam the river. A wooden dam by the Hadley Falls Company was completed on November 16, 1848. The gates were closed and the reservoir behind the dam began to rise. Soon thereafter the dam was swept away.

Construction of a second wooden dam as well as the connected Holyoke canal system began in 1849. The Hadley Falls Company was replaced by the Holyoke Water Power Company in 1858. In 1900, the wooden dam was replaced by a stone dam, which took five years to build. The dam and the surrounding canals, mills, worker's housing, and offices were built by mostly Irish immigrants using picks and shovels. The dam and the canals provide water power for the mills, especially paper mills as Holyoke became an important industrial city of over 60,000 people.

The Holyoke Dam is still operated by the Holyoke Water Power Company to provide electricity for the City of Holyoke. It is 1,019 feet long, has a drop of 60 feet and provides up to 30,000 horse-power. A raceway and fish ladder on the Holyoke side of the dam allows migrating shad, salmon, herring, and lamprey access to the upper reaches of the Connecticut River. A shad fishing derby is held annually in spring in the waters below the dam.

Waterway where the dam is located: Connecticut River Main use of the Water Dam: Hydroelectric Power Production Material used in the structure: masonry Height of Dam: 60 feet Fishing Allowed: yes Motor Sports Allowed: yes Date built: Not listed

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