Ensuring Boston and Cambridge don’t flood is a big job. That’s the primary role of the New Charles River Dam. This structure stands near the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge. It’s close to Lovejoy Wharf on the former Warren Bridge site. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed the New Charles River Dam. It became operational in 1978.
Let’s talk about Colonel Richard Gridley. The dam’s locks bear his name. He was General George Washington’s first army engineer. Pedestrians and bicyclists can cross the three locks. The New Charles River Dam forms part of the popular Boston Harborwalk. You’ll notice one lock is wider than the others. This accommodates larger vessels. The structure also provides a fish passage.
Did you know six diesel-powered engines drive the pumps? These engines are turbo-charged and boast 2700 horsepower each. Together, they pump about 3.7 million US gallons per minute. That’s roughly 8140 cubic feet per second.
The New Charles River Dam serves a crucial purpose. It controls the surface level of the Charles River basin and its tributaries upstream. This includes the Back Bay Fens and Muddy River. It stops seawater from entering the freshwater basin during high tides.
Before this dam, there was another built in 1910. It sits upstream and now houses the Boston Museum of Science. The old dam had issues. Seawater seeped in, creating a salty layer at the bottom. This caused pollution and disrupted fish migration. Both locks of the 1910 dam remain open for navigation today.
Have you noticed the chimes along the walkway? That’s the “Charlestown Bells.” Paul Matisse created this interactive art installation. Passers-by can strike the chimes. The artwork faced disrepair but was refurbished in 2013.
Once, the Charlestown High Bridge loomed over the New Charles River Dam. The Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge replaced it upstream. The Charles River itself stretches 80 miles. It winds from Hopkinton to Boston. The Massachusett tribe called it Quinobequin meaning “meandering.” The Charles flows through 23 cities and towns. It eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
So, the New Charles River Dam is more than just concrete and steel. It protects against floods. It manages water levels. The New Charles River Dam even offers an interesting art experience. This dam stands as a testament to engineering and the ongoing care for the Charles River.