Arrowrock Dam Recognized as Historic Civil Engineering Landmark

Written by: Annette Ross

Picture of Arrowrock Dam which was the highest dam in the world when it was dedicated in 1915, standing 350 feet and remained the highest until 1932.On Aug. 25, the 100- year-old Arrowrock Dam was recognized as Idaho’s first National Historic Civil Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) at a ceremony held onsite.

ASCE represent members of the civil engineering profession worldwide. It is the oldest national engineering society in the United States. ASCE recognizes historically significant civil engineering projects, structures, and sites all over the world. More than 200 projects have earned the title for the creativity and innovative spirit of civil engineers.

“Arrowrock Dam has been a cornerstone of development in Idaho’s Treasure Valley,” said Lanie Paquin, Deputy Area Manager, Bureau of Reclamation. “The dam has provided irrigation water to farmers and flood control on the lower Boise River for over 100 years. It is with great honor that we accept this historic recognition given by the American Society of Civil Engineers.”

The ceremony included a guided tour inside the dam. The group traveled up and down more than 300 steps inside the dam viewing some of its original fixings.

“A lot of the innovations in dam building were first used in this dam,” said Ryan Van Leuven, President of Southern Idaho Section of American Society of Civil Engineers.

In 1915, Arrowrock Dam was constructed and at the time was the tallest concrete dam in the world, standing 350 feet high and 1,100 feet long along the crest. It is located east of Boise, Idaho, on the Boise River. Arrowrock Dam is a multipurpose facility that provides irrigation water for more than 277,000 acres of land, flood control benefits, hydropower and recreation used by a large population in the Boise area.

Arrowrock Dam was named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. This engineering masterpiece has been used as a template for other dams constructed by Reclamation.

For more information about Arrowrock Dam visit: http://www.usbr.gov/pn/snakeriver/arrowrock100/index.html.

ASCE group is given a short briefing before touring the dam.

Published on September 09, 2016