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Little Falls Dam (Potomac River)
Little Falls Dam, also known as Brookmont Dam, is a low dam on the Potomac River, built in 1959 to divert water for the water supply system of Washington, D.C., just below Mather Gorge, about above Chain Bridge. The dam was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which is responsible for the D.C. water supply. It contributes roughly 15 to 20 percent of water intake from the Potomac to the Washington Aqueduct, rising to 30 percent in time of drought. The dam blocks fish migration routes several miles below their natural end at the Great Falls of the Potomac River. It has been termed "the drowning machine" in recognition of its danger to boaters and swimmers who can be trapped in the flow at its base. The dam was altered in 2000 to improve fish passage. The profile at the base has also been altered to reduce the chances of swimmer entrapment beneath the surface. References {{Reflist See also *Little Falls (Potomac River) Little Falls is an area of rapids located where ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Potomac River
The Potomac River () drains the Mid-Atlantic United States, flowing from the Potomac Highlands into Chesapeake Bay. It is long,U.S. Geological Survey. National Hydrography Dataset high-resolution flowline dataThe National Map. Retrieved August 15, 2011 with a drainage area of 14,700 square miles (38,000 km2), and is the fourth-largest river along the East Coast of the United States and the 21st-largest in the United States. Over 5 million people live within its watershed. The river forms part of the borders between Maryland and Washington, D.C. on the left descending bank and between West Virginia and Virginia on the right descending bank. Except for a small portion of its headwaters in West Virginia, the North Branch Potomac River is considered part of Maryland to the low-water mark on the opposite bank. The South Branch Potomac River lies completely within the state of West Virginia except for its headwaters, which lie in Virginia. Course The Potomac River r ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
