1952 52mw Thurmond/Clark Hill and 1984 300mw Russell Dams on Savannah River

Thurmond: (Satellite)

Russell: (Satellite)

The other USACE dam on the Savannah River is the Hartwell Dam.

Thurmond/Clark Hill Dam

Street View, Feb 2024

Street View, Feb 2024

The concrete part straight ahead is the powerhouse.

Street View, Feb 2024

USACE
"Thurmond Dam is a concrete-gravity structure flanked on both sides by embankments of compacted earth. The concrete section is 1,096 feet [334m] long and rises 200 feet [61m] above the riverbed at its highest point. The earthen embankments on each side of the dam lengthen it to over 1 mile. The dam creates a 71,100-acre lake that stretches 29.4 miles up the Savannah River and 17 miles up the Little River."
The seven generators have a capacity of 52mw.

USACE
The penstocks are 20' (6.1m) in diameter. The 1,096' (334m) long spillway has a capacity of 1,000,000cfs "with the gates completely open." (That is heavy flow. I wonder if the river can handle it. I did see a footnote of "Top of Augusta Levee," but I could not find what that footnote is flagging.

The dam does have significant earthen embankments, so it is important that the spillway can pass all of the flood waters.

Chris Powers, Dec 2022

André Tzschupke, Apr 2019

The dam has a large Visitor Center.

NPH Prod., May 2025

News 12 26 Augusta posted

Army Corps declares drought level 2 for Lake Thurmond

🔗: https://www.wrdw.com/.../army-corps-declares-drought.../ [I'll save you from watching an ad: I confirmed that the video has no more information than is in the text.]

Google Search AI Results

I could not find the normal generation flow. On Dec 5, 2025, Level 1 Drought was triggered and the flow was reduced to 4,200cfs at Thurmond Dam. Level 2 is reducing the flow to 4,000cfs. And they plan to go down to 3,800cfs on Feb 1, 2025. "Corps officials urge boaters to use extreme caution when at the lakes. Rocks and tree stumps, normally deep underwater, are closer to the surface, some just out of sight, especially in coves and along the shoreline. Boaters should use the main channel whenever possible. All visitors should wear a life jacket whenever in, on or near the water." [USACE_drought]

The above WRDW news release also talked about boating hazards. It seams to me that reducing the flow out of a dam would keep more water in the reservoir. Did the corps officials mean the river level downstream of Thurmond instead of the reservoirs?

Russell Dam

USACE Flickr Album

USACE
Just four of the units are generators; the other four units are pumps. "The four pump back units at Russell Dam are different than regular generators in that at night, when electrical power demands are low, they can operate in reverse direction to pump water from below the dam back upstream into Russell Lake. Then, the next day when peak power demand occurs, the additional water that has been stored overnight can be used to generate electricity. The Richard B. Russell Project’s pumpback capability is even more critical in periods of drought when the additional peaking capacity afforded by pumpback operation can mitigate capacity shortfalls at other projects."

I wondered where the pumps were getting their water. This satellite image answers that question. The powerhouse spills into Thurmond Lake rather than the Savannah River. The lake would be deeper than a river at the toe of the dam, thus it can supply the water needed to pump back up into Russell Lake.

Satellite

1874+1932,1983,2011 Bus-422 Bridges over Allegheny River at Kittanning, PA

1874: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter)

1932: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; Historic Bridges; Satellite) Citizens Bridge

HistoricBridges
This 949' (289m) long bridge has a main span of 406' (124m).
It was rehabilitated in 1983 and 2011.
"The Kittanning Bridge is one of the larger examples of a state standard plan truss bridge in Pennsylvania. Like many states, during the 1920s-1940s, Pennsylvania had a set of standard truss bridge plans that it used for bridge construction during that period. The designs varied slightly over the years and also varied based on the size and configuration of the crossing. Each state had its own particular general design however. Ohio for instance had state standard plan bridges with a very plain design, nearly all beams being rolled instead of built-up. New York favored polygonal Warren truss bridges. Pennsylvania had perhaps the most visually impressive and beautiful of the state standard truss bridges however. Their designs favored the traditional truss types of the Parker and Pratt, and their beauty stemmed greatly from a frequent use of massive, imposing portal bracings that gave the bridge an impressive appearance. In addition, Pennsylvania favored built-up beams with v-lacing and lattice for its larger spans such as the Kittanning Bridge, which further enhanced the beauty of the bridges."

Jackson-Township historical preservation posted

Bridge under construction over the Allegheny River in Kittanning, Armstrong County in 1932. In the foreground you can see a steam tractor.

(Photo from https://www.facebook.com/Armstrong-County-History-285232554971114/)

Ted Scarlett: That appears to be a steam roller

 Huayun Huang, Oct 2022

Street View, Sep 2025

BridgeHunter_1932, Pinterest

The predecessor bridge was a bowstring truss.

BridgeHunter_1874

1911 Fishing Pier/SAL Placida Trestle and 1958 Boca Grande Causeway to Gasparilla Island, FL

1911 SAL: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

1958 Road: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

SAL = Seaboard Air Line

While studying the Boca Grande Depot, I noticed that the railroad and highway had rather long bridges to get to the island. So I looked them up to find the length of the bridges. Unfortunately, Bridge Hunter doesn't have a length for either one. So I practiced using the distance measure tool in Google Maps. The railroad bridge was 2 miles (3.2km).

The swing span in the road bridge is unusual in that it uses steel girders. That is because it is unusual to build swing spans in the later half of the 20th Century. By then, most road bridges were trunnion bridges. I like this view because it shows there is a lot of boats in the channel. Fortunately, the swing span is high enough that most boats can pass under it and it doesn't need to open.

Giguere Interactive, Mar 2019

The railroad used a rolling span across the channel. It is at trestle height, so it was low over the sound. Thus it would have had to open frequently.

Photo by Jim Courtright via BridgeHunter
The bridge was abandoned and the drawbridge removed in 1981. It was converted in 1983. [I presume that is when it was converted to the fishing pier.]

There are other channels under the road bridge, but they appear to be blocked by the trestle.

Giguere Interactive, Mar 2019

1 farmer killed and another severely injured in partially empty soybean grain bin

(Satellite)

Facebook Reel

"One person was killed and another was injured in a grain bin accident in Illinois. First responders were called Monday afternoon to a farm in Putnam County, according to a release from the Hennepin and Granville fire departments. One man was found trapped up to his chest in soybeans. Authorities said the man was rescued using a rescue tube, an auger and a rescue grain vacuum system. He was airlifted to a Peoria hospital, but information about his condition was not available. Rescue crews worked in shifts to remove soybeans. After searching for more than two hours, first responders found the second person dead at the bottom of the grain bin. The victim has not been publicly identified." [Jan 28, 2026, kxii]

This is the fire department release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Grain Bin Rescue, 01-26-2026

Granville Illinois

At approximately 2:18pm the Granville Fire Department along with PC EMS were dispatched for a male who had collapsed and was possibly trapped in a Grain Bin partially filled with soybeans at a farm on 950 North Ave, just south of Granville, IL. Initial reports indicated that a subject may or may not have been trapped inside and another subject may be in the bin as well. As crews were en-route, additional information revealed that a subject was inside the bin and there may be another person in the bin and family was attempting to locate the second subject. Due to the additional information relayed prior to units arriving on scene, a Lifeflight helicopter was requested to the scene as well as additional resources from Hennepin Fire, Standard Fire and the MABAS 25 Technical Rescue Team. Upon arrival on scene, through a side access door, a male subject was found to be in the grain bin in soybeans up to his chest. That subject was able to communicate that another subject had been taking soybeans out of the bin and may or may not have gone in and that they went in to attempt to find the person who had not been seen for some time, but had become trapped and was not sure if there was another person in the bin or not. Based on this information additional resources were requested from Princeton Fire, Cedar Point Fire, Oglesby Fire, 10/33 Ambulance, an additional Lifeflight helicopter to the scene as well as the MABAS 25 Chaplain.

As rescue operations continued, the first subject was rescued from the grain bin using a grain bin rescue tube and auger system as well as a rescue grain vacuum system. The first subject was assisted out of the grain bin and to an ambulance where he was evaluated by the Lifeflight crew and then airlifted at approximately 3:52pm to Peoria for further evaluation and treatment. Currently, we have no information on his condition. After the first subject had been cleared from the bin, an assessment was made and the grain vacuum was deployed for a methodical search of the bin. Shortly after the search for the second subject began, subject was located near the bottom of the bin and operations shifted to a recovery effort. Rescue crews worked in shifts to remove the soybeans from the bin and recover the second subject. At approximately 4:46pm, the deceased was located and removed from the bin and turned over to the coroner.

Our sympathies go out to the family of the deceased.

All responding personnel were clear of the scene at 5:44pm and we note that no responding personnel were injured during the rescue and recovery operations. We thank all the responders that came to assist the Granville Hennepin Fire District for their hard work and efforts in the response. Thank you to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the telecommunicators for all their hard work and effort in assisting us with the operation. And thank you as well as to Granville Casey's for donating pizza and The Corner Store in Granville for donating coffee for the responders.

Further investigation of the incident will be conducted by the PC Death Investigator.

[Hennepin Fire Department post]

1931+1999 US-54 Bridges over Niangua River Arm of Lake of the Ozarks

(Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite)

Missouri had to build some long truss bridges when the 1931 Bagnell Dam was built. The Grand Glaize Bridge was another one.

Missouri's Historic Highways posted
US 54 Niangua Bridge Lake of the Ozarks 1952
Carl E. Dry: That bridge and the old Grand Glaize Bridge were rough on big truck mirrors! You could see broken glass and mirror parts laying next to the curbs on both bridges.
Brian Deck: That was almost an antique car even in 1952!
Brian Humphrey: 1920s car

This 1229' (375m) long bridge had a main span of 343' (105m). [BridgeHunter]

1953 photo by Don Wooldridge via Missouri State Archives, RG103 Department of Conservation Photograph Collection via BridgeHunter

This bridge is far upstream from the dam so it would be sensitive to the lake levels. Don's photo shows that the lake level was low enough that the riverbed was dry at the bridge. Consequently, none of the marinas here would be able to dock boats.

Satellite

Postcard via BridgeHunter

The replacement is a steel-girder bridge.

Street View, Jun 2023

1931+1984+1995 US-54 Grand Glaize Bridges over Lake of the Ozarks

1931: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; HAER)

1984+1995: (Satellite)

Missouri had to build some long truss bridges when the 1931 Bagnell Dam was built. The bridge over the Niangua River Arm of Lake Ozarks was another one.

Ken Safran posted
1930 & 1950s - OSAGE BEACH, MO... The Grand Glaize Bridge over the Lake of the Ozarks opened in '31 in coordination with construction of the Bagnell Dam. Designers wanted to make sure the structure wouldn't impede the view so the trusses were built beneath what was often called the “Upside Down Bridge.” A new westbound bridge was opened in '84, with this original bridge being dismantled and replaced in '95.

1931 photo via Missouri State Archives via BridgeHunter

Postcard via Missouri State Archives via BridgeHunter

HAER MO,15-OSBE,1--1

"Significance: "The Grand Giaize Bridge, designed by Sverdrup and Parcel, Consulting Engineers of St. Louis, is one of three cantilevered deck trusses in Missouri. Built in preparation for the Lake of the Ozarks, a vast reservoir impounded behind Bagnell Dam, the Grand Giaize Bridge and a new section of U.S. Route 54 allowed this formerly remote region to open for tremendous tourist development." [HAER_data]

The replacement bridges look like steel-girder bridges.

Street View, Sep 2017

Barge Canal Lock #28A and 1931 Lyons Dry Dock

Dry Dock: (Satellite)

Lock: (Satellite)

The lock on the left and the dry dock on the right.

Street View, Oct 2013

The lock on the left and the dry dock in the background.

Street View, Oct 2013

"Lift: 19.5 feet. Located alongside the lock, The Lyons Dry Dock is one of three NYS Canal Corporation dry docks. It has gates like those of a lock, boats float in and the water is drained out. At any given time, you can see work being done on tugboats, dredges, derrick boats, and many other vessels." [nycanalmap]

This is the primary maintenance facility for the New York State Canal System. In addition to repairing tugboats, etc., it provides winter storage.

Street View, Aug 2013

Over a decade later, it looks like the derrick barges haven't moved. It appears that these antiques are docked here.

Street View, Jun 2024

Indeed, those work boats are antiques.

hmdb
"The Lyons drydock, located just west of the village was the last drydock built on the New York State Canal System after nearly a century of improvements.

Drydocks like the one at Lyons were needed so that canal boats could be maintained and have a place to winter over. The original Barge Canal plan called for public drydocks at Schuylerville, Waterford, Little Falls, Baldwinsville, Rochester, and Lockport. Later, when the Baldwinsville site was dropped, the facility at Lyons was added.

The Lyons drydock was completed in 1931, with a storehouse and machine shop added the next year. Lyons became one of two principal drydock sites in the canal system (the other was Waterford).

Today, the Lyons shop repairs equipment still used on the canal. The drydock is used to berth tugs in the off season and stores Dipper Dredge No. 3, one of the original Barge Canal dredges."

Digitally Zoomed

Digitally Zoomed

whec 2:51 video
Inside the Erie Canal’s hidden dry dock: Keeping the 200-year-old waterway running

tug44

tug44, another of the many photos on this webpage

Jim DeNearing posted four photos with the comment: "A few pictures of the salvage operation in Lyons dry dock this morning [Jan 22, 2026]. The DB6 is being cut apart for scrap this week."

Dave Eldridge: It was a heavy lift 60 ton crane.

1, cropped

2, cropped

3, cropped

4, cropped

Gary Prodrick commented on Jim's post
Is this it?

Peter A. DeVito Jr.: Is this the DB that Bunky use to captain, back in the day???

Jim DeNearing: Peter A. DeVito Jr. Sad yes, but this one I can almost understand. The bottom of the barge was in terrible shape. The crane was years past inspection. It just wouldn't have made financial sense to try to fix it.

The real travisty is that there is nowhere designated to put these historic pieces on static display so that future generations can learn about how the canal was maintained after it was built. That's something that most people don't understand. They think that once the canal was opened, that was it. They don't even realize that it takes ongoing maintenance to keep it open.

Comments on Jim's post

I do hope they figure out how to make static displays of the work boats when they are retired.

Mark Jones posted
DB13  with breakdown scow  eastbound thru Hulberton in spring headed to rochester. About 15 yrs ago.

Dave Eldridge: There were many statewide, most of them if not all were freefall meaning no power down which is why they had clam buckets. But they did hook work from time to time.

Mark Jones: Ole 13 sure could lift , the bucket was good size. It sure mangled up submerged cars when we found them.

Dave Eldridge commented on Mark's post, cropped
I was the Captain on Db2a when n Lyons when i retired.