Dam and Waterway Construction in the early 1900's - A Photographic Journey Through Time

ABSTRACT ONLY - New York State in the early 1900's was performing a frenzy of work related to both the Erie Barge Canal and major Flood Control Dams on the Upper Hudson River watershed. Historic records from these projects including numerous construction photos and detailed construction records reveal the predominant construction methods and equipment used during the era. Recent advances of the time include the use of Portland Cement Concrete (a relatively new material used at large scale), to structural steel shapes that were just being used to construct 'movable dams'• (gated dams) to tame rivers for navigation.
Historic records from various waterway projects and embankment dams will be shared and discussed to show the progression of dam building technology that existed from the mid-1800's to the 1920's. Several examples of the challenges the dam engineers and builders faced along with the solutions they developed will be covered. Photos cover embankment construction techniques ranging from hand work, horse teams, steam shovels and larger mechanized excavators as well as the semi-hydraulic fill method. Understanding the challenges the designers and constructor of the era, shed light on why dams behave the way they do. It also helps dam safety engineers of the present better understand where hidden issues may exist. Specific examples of rehabilitation challenges that have been encountered in these dams along with the solutions developed will be shared.
Through the use of the photos showing construction of several actual dams, attendees will be able to see how dams were constructed to better understand potential areas where deficiencies and PFMs may exist. The presentation is created from the literally thousands of construction photographs available from historic research performed on recent projects from the early 1900's in NY State.