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Williams Dam

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

On the East Fork of the White River, which runs through the southern part of the state, lies Williams Dam. Built in 1913 as a hydroelectric dam, Williams would provide private homes and the stone industries with electricity until the 1950s. Today, the 17-foot-tall dam serves as a historic and recreational site, popular for fishing, camping, and enjoying the beauty that the White River has to offer.

Images

The Williams Power Plant, prior to 1940

Building, House, Residential area, Landscape

Williams Dam, present

Water, Water resources, Fluvial landforms of streams, Natural landscape

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

However, in 2013, a Boston start-up company, Free Flow Power Corp., took interest in Williams dam along with about four other similar dams in Indiana. Free Flow Power Corp. sought to reharness the power of the water as it falls over the dam, using it to generate electricity for homes and businesses in the area. Doing so would provide an alternative to energy produced using fossil fuels, such as coal or oil. This project was largely opposed by locals, who voiced concerns over protecting native and endangered species of fish, mussels, and other wildlife that are important to the natural and social processes of the river. Fishable Indiana Streams for Hoosiers (FISH) is one of the organizations that opposed the project, and Free Flow Power Corp.’s licensing was surrendered in 2018.

Sources

Russell, J. (2013). Indiana's Williams Dam could power up again. IndyStar, https://www.indystar.com/story/news/2013/12/29/indianas-williams-dam-could-power-up-again/4244611/.

Limestone Country. Williams Dam. Limestone Country, https://limestonecountry.com/attraction/williams-dam-state-recreational-area/.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

https://www.weather.gov/media/ind/Williams_Historic_Photos.pdf

https://indianapublicmedia.org/news/indiana-ranks-high-in-hazardous-dams-that-need-improvements.php

Additional Information