1932 Owyhee Dam on Owyhee River near Nyssa, OR, was highest dam when built

(HAER; Satellite)

HAER ORE,23-NYS.V,1--6
6. DAM AFTERBAY, WITH OWYHEE RIVER IN FOREGROUND, SHOWING OUTLET TUNNEL PORTAL (LEFT) AND POWERHOUSE AND ENTRANCE PORTAL TO DAM INTERIOR (RIGHT). NOTE RELEASE OF WATER FROM NEEDLE VALVE NUMBER 2 IN VALVEHOUSE ON DAM. VIEW TO SOUTHEAST. - Owyhee Dam, Across Owyhee River, Nyssa, Malheur County, OR

"Significance: Owyhee Dam is a 417-foat-high, concrete thick-arch dam (or arch/gravity dam). At its completion in 1932, Owyhee was the tallest dam in the world, a short-lived distinction because it was superceded in 1936 with the completion of 726-foot high Hoover Dam. Owyhee Dam has engineering significance as the proving ground for construction techniques developed by Bureau of Reclamation engineers for use at Hoover Dam. Tests conducted on the cooling and shrinking of mass concrete as it cured at Owyhee Dam helped assure Bureau engineers that their techniques would work at Hoover Dam. Historic apparatus for monitoring those tests is still in place on the interior of Owyhee Dam. Owyhee also has engineering significance for its ancillary features. The ring gate on the Owyhee Dam spillway was the first ever built. It was the first dam in which a freight elevator was installed. The needle valves in the outlet works for Owyhee Dam, which make it possible to regulate the discharge of water under very high pressure, represent a late stage in the evolution of such valves by the Bureau of Reclamation. Upon its completion, Owyhee Dam began storing water for use by farmers on the Owyhee Project, one of the most important in the development of irrigated agriculture in Oregon." [HAER_data]

HAER ORE,23-NYS.V,1--33
33. DETAIL OF STEEL RING AND MORNING GLORY SPILLWAY FOR OUTLET TUNNEL. VIEW TO SOUTHWEST.

Underestimated Arsenal posted [The post has a long description.]

Both US-20 and US-30 are close to this dam.

Satellite

1879,2004 Trail/57th Street and 1907 Pere Marquette Bridges over Kalamazoo River at New Richmond, MI

1879: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; Historic Bridges; Satellite)

1907: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; Historic Bridges; Satellite)

This PM route is still owned by CSX.

This is how I learned that the 57th Street Bridge is now a pedestrian bridge.

Street View, Jul 2025

Jennifer Woodman posted 13 photos and a video with the comment: "New Richmond Bridge Park has two bridges side by side over the Kalamazoo River. The swing bridge, also called the 57th Street Bridge, was built in 1879. It's a 422-foot [128.6m] Warren pony truss with four main spans, eight approach spans, and an 89-foot [27m] swing span. It's one of the oldest swing bridges in the country and the longest pony truss in Michigan. It's on the National Register of Historic Places and was restored in 2004. Next to it, a 1907 railroad bridge built by the American Bridge Company runs 435 feet [132.6m] as a metal deck girder with six main spans. It was also built to swing, and the extra pier and old swing gears under the bridge are the only evidence left. It is now owned and actively operated by CSX."

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Jennifer Younk, Jan 2023

The pier for the swing span is not in the middle of the span so this would be a bobtail bridge.

HistoricBridges_1907

Photo by Jim Thias via HistoricBridges_1907
"Photo of surviving swing span gears."

HistoricBridges_1879
"This nationally significant bridge is one of the top historic bridges in Michigan. Multi-span pony truss bridges are uncommon, and this four-span structure is the longest remaining pony truss in Michigan. Pin-connected Warren truss bridges like this bridge are very rare both in Michigan and nationwide. The 1879 construction date makes this one of the oldest truss bridges in Michigan. Additionally, pre-1880 metal bridges are extremely rare nationwide. Each surviving example should be considered to have a high level of historic significance due to their rarity and also the fact that bridges from this period show a lack of standardization and reveal the early development of metal bridge construction in the country. The early date of construction is evident in the unusual design of the built-up members and chords on the bridge, which are unlike the standards found in most truss bridges of the 1880s and 1890s. In particular, built-up diagonal members are an unusual design with a corrugated lacing (called ribbon lacing in some sources). In addition, the outriggers have star iron, a unique type of rolled structural iron that was common in the 1870s but not after."
Even though the Kalamazoo River is no longer navigable, the restoration included the mechanics for manually operating the swing span. "An opening ceremony took place in which the bridge was opened and closed."
[Nathan gives this bridge two 10 of 10 ratings, his highest.]

That is a massive swing pier.

2011 photo by C Hanchey via BridgeHunter_1979

Brookpark, Lorain, Hilliard and US-6+US-20 Detroit Bridges over Rocky River near Cleveland, OH

1933 Brookpark Viaduct: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; Historic Bridges; Satellite) 

1935 Lorain Viaduct: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; Historic Bridges; Satellite)

1925 Hilliard Boulevard: (Archived Bridge Hunter; no Bridge Hunter; no Historic Bridges; Satellite) 

1910 Detroit Avenue: (Archived Bridge Hunter; Bridge Hunter; Historic Bridges; Satellite) 

1933,1989,2027 Brookpark Viaduct

Street View, May 2026

HistoricBridges_1933
"Historical photo of bridge, showing original railing."

HistoricBridges_1933
The 1,919' (585m) long bridge has a main span of 192' (58.5m).

Photo by Erie Shores Drone via BridgeHunter_1933

Brian Jules posted five photos with the comment: "1933 Brook Park viaduct bridge over the Rocky River valley. Emergency shut down of the bridge this [2026] summer for concrete repairs has led to increased traffic through the parkway."

Dennis DeBruler: What town and state?

Brian Jules: Dennis DeBruler Cleveland, Ohio

Dennis DeBruler: Thanks. I found it: https://maps.app.goo.gl/C7isbiNhX47xngJN7. And I learned where NASA has a facility in Ohio (Glenn Research Center).

[Google Maps indicates the bridge will be closed until Sep 2027.]

Dana Abfall: Dennis DeBruler there’s another in Perkins twp. About an hour away from the one off brook park rd. Used to be called plum brook station, nasa facility now. Originally a test nuclear reactor.

[Plum Brook Station is now labeled FBI. But a little to the Southwest is the NASA Hypersonic Tunnel Facility.)

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Jeff Sigsworth commented on Brian's post

Brian Jules: Jeff Sigsworth old Detroit rd crossing

Jeff Sigsworth: Brian Jules Oh, OK... a different bridge, then?

Brian Jules: Jeff Sigsworth yes that one was demolished in 1980, Hillard bridge [see further below] is supposedly next

1935,1990 Lorain Viaduct

2012 photo by C Hanchey via BridgeHunter_1935

HistoricBridges_1935
This 1,230' (375m) long bridge has a main span of 256' (78m).
"This bridge is a long and impressive multi-span steel deck arch bridge. An uncommon bridge type, steel deck arch bridges are typically utilized in between steep canyons, and so are in many cases single span, making this multi-span example over a broad river valley even more unusual. The bridge was also technologically noteworthy when built as it used welds in areas where rivets had traditionally been used. Rivets are still in many places on this bridge, but the use of welds in some areas was groundbreaking at the time. The bridge was designed with a nod to Art Deco style architecture. Some of this has been altered when the deck was widened, but the design of the railing and pillars remain to display this architectural influence."

HistoricBridges_1935
"Historical photo showing previous bridge at this location."

1925,1983 Hilliard Boulevard Bridge

Street View, May 2026
The bridge in the background is I-90.

The 860' (262m) long bridge has a main span of 220' (67m). [ArchivedBridgeHunter_1925]

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1910-1980 Detroit Avenue Bridge

US-6 Overview

US-20 Overview

US-20 still uses this bridge. US-6 now uses the Clifton Boulevard Bridge; but, since this route is labeled Alt US-6, this was probably the original route for US-6.

Postcard via BridgeHunter_1910

HAER OHIO,18-RORI,1--15
15. Photocopy of a photograph (original in the Office of the Cuyahoga County Engineer)--1963 AERIAL VIEW OF BRIDGE AND ENVIRONS, SHOWING RAILROAD TRESTLE AND CLIFTON-WESTLAKE BRIDGES IN BACKGROUND - Rocky River Bridge, Spanning Beaver Dam River, Rocky River, Cuyahoga County, OH

HAER OHIO,18-RORI,1--13
13. Photocopy of a photograph (original negative in the Cleveland Picture Collection, Cleveland Public Library)--1909 ROCKY RIVER BRIDGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION, VIEW LOOKING SOUTH SHOWING FORMER HIGH-LEVEL BRIDGE IN BACKGROUND

HAER OHIO,18-RORI,1--14
14. Photocopy of a photograph (original negative in the archives of the Cleveland Plain Dealer)--1930 VIEW OF ROCKY RIVER BRIDGE LOOKING WEST, WITH WESTLAKE HOTEL IN BACKGROUND

Today, the replacement bridge is yet another steel-girder bridge, but the approach arches, in the left background, have been preserved because they are the foundation for a new building.

Street View, Aug 2017

Another view of the approach arches.

CrainsCleveland

HistoricBridges_1910
This bridge was 708' (215.8m) long with a main span of 280' (85.3m).
The main span "was the longest unreinforced concrete arch span when constructed."

According to HAER_data, it was still the longest unreinforced concrete arch in America when it was torn down.

All of the bridges

I got this topo map to confirm that Detroit Avenue was the original route for US-6. It was. But when I noticed how the contour lines emphasized the valley that the bridges crossed, I saved this map. Back then, Detroit and Lorain were the only bank-to-bank crossings of the Rocky River.

1904/48 Berea Quad @ 62,500

Nov 2026: floods break BNSF Southern Transcon and Florida East Coast Railroads

Rail Wrecks & Reform posted
8 inches of rain in three days shut down BNSF’s Southern Transcon,  the busiest main line in the country, near Laguna,  New Mexico on October 24. The area normally gets about 10 inches a year. Trains moved again in about 60 hours, but 36 eastbound trains were still waiting to clear on October 28.
The washout affected about three miles of track. Amtrak canceled the Southwest Chief, and a normal day on this line is about 59 freight trains. BNSF says it is hardening the main line through Laguna ahead of more rain.
[And then there was a flood in the Four Corners on Nov 1, 2026, that was worse than this Oct 23 flood.]

Facebook Reel

I add to scroll through a bunch of noise comments before I found some information.

Comments on the above reel

Stewart Mountain and Granite Reef Dams on Salt River near Mesa, AZ

Stewart Mountain: (Satellite)

Granite Reef: (Satellite)

Nov 1, 2026, flood

Stewart Mountain Dam

Mark Anderson posted
Stewart Mountain Dam releasing water

Erik Seineke: Great capture, any Down Stream info for damage?

Mark Anderson: Erik Seineke Phon D Sutton is underwater. Same with Granite Reef. There was a car inundated in the Granite Reef lot. Not sure on the diversion dam. I didn’t follow it to the Gila confluence.

Jeanie Simmons: Mark Anderson There was a post saying the car belongs to the elderly couple that drowned in the river at the start of flooding. 😞

usbr

"On the Salt River 41 miles northeast of Phoenix, Stewart Mountain Dam created Saguaro Lake, a 69,765 acre-foot capacity reservoir. The dam is a concrete thin-arch structure, 207 feet high, with gravity abutments. When built by the Salt River Valley Water Users' Association from 1928-1930, the dam included an open, super-elevated channel spillway equipped with radial gates.

"The spillway was modified by Reclamation in 1936. The work consisted of building a concrete-lined spillway discharge channel, 450 feet long by 265 feet wide, below the existing ogee spillway; reconditioning the hoisting equipment for the radial gates; and installing individual gate operating motors and two 10-kilovolt-ampere gasoline-engine driven generators.

"From 1988 to 1992, the dam was again modified by Reclamation, to meet concerns about its stability in a probable maximum flood or maximum credible earthquake. To address PMF concerns, a new spillway was constructed on the dam`s right abutment to increase its ability to safely release flood waters. As part of earthquake protection measures, a new concrete overlay was placed over areas on the right and left abutments to improve the dam`s stability. The existing power penstock and river outlet works were also replaced, the road on the top of the dam was raised and widened, and the existing left spillway and spillway wall was modified. In addition, drainage holes were drilled at selected locations in the dam`s foundation to help relieve hydraulic uplift pressures, and some areas of the foundation were grouted to help reduce seepage. Finally, 84 steel cables were installed through the dam and into its foundation to strengthen it."

Granite Reef Diversion Dam

usbr

"Granite Reef Diversion Dam is located about 4 miles downstream of the confluence of the Salt and Verde Rivers and about 22 miles east of Phoenix. The dam was constructed between 1906 and 1908 by Reclamation to divert water released from storage dams on the Salt and Verde Rivers to Salt River Project canals. The Arizona Canal serves the north side of the project; the South Canal serves the south side. From these two main canals, water is diverted to secondary canals, then to laterals through which water is delivered to farms, cities, and Indian tribes.

"The dam is 1,128 feet long, and 29 feet high. The sluiceway contains four 15-by-9-foot slide gates onthe North Side Canal, and two 15-by-9-foot slide gates on the South Side Canal. The North Side Canal headworks contain eighteen 7-by-5-foot slide gates, while the South Side headworks contain nine of these gates."

The shows the water supply canals on the north and south side of the Salt River.

Satellite