Dam No. 5

USA / Maryland / Clear Spring / Dam No. 5 Road
 dam, American Civil War 1861-1865
This dam was originally built to supply water to the C&O Canal and was the site of a failed raid by Stonewall Jackson's cavalry in December 1861 who was attempting to disrupt Union commerce on the canal. The dam now includes a hydroelectric generating station on the West Virginia side of the river. The original dam ruins can still be seen just east of the current structure. Popular fishing spot.

canal.mcmullans.org/feeder_dam_5.htm
Wikipedia article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_Plant_and_Dam_No._5_(Potomac_River)
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   39°36'21"N   77°55'22"W

Comments

  • Rebels attempted to destroy Dam #5 in December 1861. The remains of the original dam are still visible a few yards east of the present replacement dam.
This article was last modified 12 years ago