Dam 3

Dam 3

NPS / Claire Hassler

Quick Facts

Location:

Knoxville, Maryland

Amenities

1 listed

Scenic View/Photo Spot

There are seven dams along the Chesapeake and Ohio canal. Dams create a large barrier that restricts or stops the flow of water, which allows it to be used for irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aquaculture, and navigation. Dam 3, built in 1799, was meant to serve the armory at Harpers Ferry. It was built using the natural rocks of the Potomac River which created a unique zig-zag structure. Unfortunately, the dam proved ineffective. It was rebuilt in 1820, and then in 1832 the infrastructure of dam was used by the C&O Canal to build its Dam No. 3, which watered the Canal down to Seneca.