[Keep the Show on the Road!]

Mga707 mentioned in another post several dams that used to have roads across them in Arizona, and a couple still do. Most however have been replaced by bridges.

I am racking my well seasoned mind to remember those in the Northwest. Where are there some others?

I can’t think of a single example in Oregon or Washington where you can still drive across a dam. You used to be able to do that at Grand Coulee, and I think at Bonneville, and I suppose at some smaller dams. I suppose there are small irrigation dams and the like where the road crosses at the dam, but those are pretty insignificant structures, as dams go.

Dave

Keep the Show on the Road!

[Chris Rowland]

Mga707 mentioned in another post several dams that used to have roads across them in Arizona, and a couple still do. I am racking my well seasoned mind to remember those in the Northwest. Where are there some others?

I drove over one a couple of years ago, US 191 at Flaming Gorge in Utah: 40.914988,-109.421672

Chris

[DennyG]

I frequently drive over the Markland Dam on the Ohio River near Vevay, Indiana, and there are smaller examples around, too. Markland isn't in a a class with Hoover but it is pretty good sized.

[Keep the Show on the Road!]

I drove over one a couple of years ago, US 191 at Flaming Gorge in Utah: 40.914988,-109.421672

Chris

Chris,

That is a spectacular example. If I get anywhere near, I'll have to detour there to drive it!

Dave

Keep the Show on the Road!

[Keep the Show on the Road!]

I frequently drive over the Markland Dam on the Ohio River near Vevay, Indiana, and there are smaller examples around, too. Markland isn't in a a class with Hoover but it is pretty good sized.

Denny,

It is interesting in Google because it shows the water sort of piled up on one side of the dam with the road across. Another site to mark on the map for a visit one day.

Dave

Keep the Show on the Road

[DennyG]

Denny,

It is interesting in Google because it shows the water sort of piled up on one side if the dam with the road across. Another site to mark on the map for a visit one day.

Dave

Keep the Show on the Road

Apparently you found it just by the name. I get N38° 46.5712' W84° 57.8768' for the coordinates. It's one of the dams that contols river depth to keep the river navigable for barges. Those are locks along the south bank. On Google maps, if you follow the north shore a little over half a mile west of the dam, you'll see the imaginary (trust me;-) Benedict Road. One reason I cross Markland Dam now and then is that a buddy and I own the empty plot of land just west of the "road". You are, of course, welcome to stay when you come for a visit. Bring Your Own Tent.

[Keep the Show on the Road!]

One reason I cross Markland Dam now and then is that a buddy and I own the empty plot of land just west of the "road". You are, of course, welcome to stay when you come for a visit. Bring Your Own Tent.

It’s always good to know a rich landowner or two, especially in tough times. Riverfront property is usually a good place to spend awhile, and when the landowner has invited you, it isn’t trespassing. The wife and I are packing the trailer with some belongings as I write! We are forwarding our mail to 101 S. Benedict Road, and inviting a few friends for Memorial Day and the 4th of July. You are of course invited to drop in. How’s the fishing on the river?

Dave

Keep the Show on the Road!

[usroadman]

Mga707 mentioned in another post several dams that used to have roads across them in Arizona, and a couple still do. Most however have been replaced by bridges.

I am racking my well seasoned mind to remember those in the Northwest. Where are there some others?

I can’t think of a single example in Oregon or Washington where you can still drive across a dam. You used to be able to do that at Grand Coulee, and I think at Bonneville, and I suppose at some smaller dams. I suppose there are small irrigation dams and the like where the road crosses at the dam, but those are pretty insignificant structures, as dams go.

Dave

Keep the Show on the Road!

US 1 goes over the Conowingo Dam on the Susquehanna River in Maryland.

Most of the reservoir dams north of NYC have roads, but they were all closed after 9-11. Even the satellite views on Google are now blurred. I used to cross the Kensico Dam almost every day. It was a pretty major local short cut. I also used to cross it a lot on foot as a kid. I crossed the Croton Dam and the Cross River Dam a few times also, but they saw almost no traffic since the approach roads were dirt.

[Chris Rowland]

I crossed the Croton Dam and the Cross River Dam a few times also, but they saw almost no traffic since the approach roads were dirt.

That Croton Dam is rather beautiful.

I had forgotten the Taylorsville Dam near Vandalia, Ohio on US 40!

Chris

[DennyG]

That Croton Dam is rather beautiful.

I had forgotten the Taylorsville Dam near Vandalia, Ohio on US 40!

Chris

I had the same thought about the Croton Dam.

Taylorsville is one of the National Road's Dam Dents (American Road, Autumn 2007). The other is Englewood a half dozen miles to the west. Between the two, you can see Dixie Drive which was, of course, once the Dixie Highway. The intersection of the DH & the NR wears a "Crossroads of America" sign and certainly has a legitimate claim. I'm guessing that's a fairly new Google image. It's sure better than I remember.

[DaleS]

No dam road at Davis Dam near Bullhead City, AZ.

Heading north my maps showed a road across Davis Dam. When I got to the turn off
it a sign said "Road Closed", had a time getting turned around.

Dale

[mga707]

No dam road at Davis Dam near Bullhead City, AZ.

Heading north my maps showed a road across Davis Dam. When I got to the turn off
it a sign said "Road Closed", had a time getting turned around.

Dale

Yes, the road across the dam was closed either at the time of or shortly after the Laughlin/Bullhead City bridge across the Colorado (AZ SR68/NV SR163) was opened in the 1990s. The road on the AZ side of Davis Dam continues northward to several coves/boat launch sites on Lake Mohave (the lake formed by the dam), but the road on the NV side goes no further than the dam.

[Alex Burr - hester_nec]

I had the same thought about the Croton Dam.

Taylorsville is one of the National Road's Dam Dents (American Road, Autumn 2007).

Dam dents????? Where I'm originally from we call 'em dam potholes!!!!


Hudsonly,
Alex Burr
Memphis, TN

[Brian407]

There are several in Texas, including FM 455 at Lake Ray Roberts (Near Sanger), and Fairway Dr at Lake Grapevine (Near the city of Grapevine.) Now for a really interesting one. There is and abandoned highway (Old SH 24) across the abandoned Lake Dallas Dam in the middle of Lake Lewisville. The Lake Dallas Dam was completed in the Late '20's. The Lewisville Dam was completed in 1955, rendering the Lake Dallas Dam obsolete. In 1957, The Lake Dallas Dam was intentionally breached, joining the two lakes. The old roadway is severely eroded, and the spillway bridge was removed leaving only the supports.

Here's a Google View of it. http://maps.google.c...U...mp;t=h&z=17[/img]

[thermactor]

Though the elevation is not so impressive, the old Lake Bistineau Dam in NW Louisiana was a neat drive. That is, until they built a 100% character-free bridge next to it and removed most of the original road from the top of the dam. At least they left a portion over the spillway gates for fishing purposes. It was an extremely long wooden deck girder bridge carrying LA-154 across the dam. The bridge was elevated 10 or so feet above the top of the dam, and the brave and daring could take their boats underneath it, provided the water wasn't over the spillway - that would be suicide.

http://www.bing.com/...v...lvl=2&sty=b




I also remember the Hungry Horse Reservoir dam in the Flathead Nat'l Forest as being quite impressive when I was a kid. At the time it was driveable - I assume it still is?

http://www.bing.com/...4...vl=15&sty=h

Happy Trails!
Wes