Gillespie Dam
Characteristics of the Gillespie Dam
It impounds the Gila River with a great reservoir. The Gillespie Dam was constructed in the 1920s. The main purpose of the construction was to support irrigation projects within the locality. The dam had a problem in 1993 when some of the installations broke down. Heavy rains were blamed for this unexpected development but a reconstruction model was soon in place. Although it originally started off as nothing more than a spill-over, the Gillespie Dam is now a major monument within the area.
A bridge was commissioned to carry US 80 traffic until 1956 when it become a county highway. It is now under the care of the Maricopa County. Since 5th May 1981, the bridge is part of the National Register of Historic Places. When the bridged collapsed, there was an exposure of underground natural gas line. That meant that the construction effort had to begin immediately. Happily federal funding was secured and the new look was envisaged. Remnants of the dam are open and it is open to the public.
There are many strands to the possible usage of the Gillespie Dam. It is a transportation monument in as much as it links different parts of the US to the locality. This is very important for the economic development of the area. There is also a lot to be gained from looking at the way that the construction project has been managed. Although the overflow damaged significant parts of the dam, there are many sections that are passable. Perhaps it could provide a model for future construction projects.
Why isn’t the Gillespie Dam used to general electricity?
At the moment the explanations seem a bit too flimsy. If there was sufficient water to cause all that damage, then in all probability the dam could be reconfigured to provide electricity. If the USA has no need for the power then it could be exported to countries such as Mexico. It seems that the Gillespie Dam is now used as merely a tourist attraction or a means of transport.
Given the vast amounts of money that went into the construction of the dam, it might be a good idea to look at the concept of a power generator. It could return significant profits on the original investment. The local people could also get plenty of employment through the construction and marketing projects that would inevitably arise.