Frank D. Comerford Dam
Encyclopedia
Frank D Comerford Dam is an International Style concrete
dam
in the Fifteen Mile Falls of the Connecticut River
, on the border
between the U.S.
states of New Hampshire
and Vermont
. The dam, located next to Monroe, New Hampshire
, is named after Frank D. Comerford, who played an instrumental role in its construction. Construction began in 1928 and was completed in 1931. The dam and the power plant are operated by the TransCanada Corp.
Comerford Reservoir
is the reservoir created behind the dam, named after Frank D. Comerford, president of the Connecticut River Power Company and the New England Power Company.
Hydroelectric power plants have the ability to vary the amount of power generated, depending on the demand. Steam turbine
power plants are not as easily "throttled" because of the amount of thermodynamic inertia contained in their systems.
remotely initiated the generation of electricity from Comerford Dam, then New England's largest single hydroelectric development. This was the first in a series, harnessing hydroelectric power in the United States in the 1930s. The power was sent 126 miles (202.8 km) for use in Massachusetts
. At the time of its construction, it was the largest "retaining wall" in the United States, representing more than 90000 cubic yards (68,809.9 m³) of concrete.
In 2005, USGen New England sold the dam to TransCanada Hydro Northeast Inc.
in 1928 for 1500 workers. The camp contained its own housing, commissary, theater (which substituted as a church on Sunday), and a hospital. It had its own hockey and basketball teams. 120 people prepared and served meals. 1300 men worked the day shift from 7-6 with one hour off for lunch. 300 men worked the night shift.
Construction materials were supplied on a special 3 miles (4.8 km) railroad track built to the site.
Concrete
Concrete is a composite construction material, composed of cement and other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate , water and chemical admixtures.The word concrete comes from the Latin word...
dam
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
in the Fifteen Mile Falls of the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, on the border
Border
Borders define geographic boundaries of political entities or legal jurisdictions, such as governments, sovereign states, federated states and other subnational entities. Some borders—such as a state's internal administrative borders, or inter-state borders within the Schengen Area—are open and...
between the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
states of New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
and Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. The dam, located next to Monroe, New Hampshire
Monroe, New Hampshire
Monroe is a town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 788 at the 2010 census. The town is located along a bend of the Connecticut River, across from Barnet, Vermont...
, is named after Frank D. Comerford, who played an instrumental role in its construction. Construction began in 1928 and was completed in 1931. The dam and the power plant are operated by the TransCanada Corp.
TransCanada Corp.
TransCanada Corporation is a major North American energy company based in Calgary, Alberta, developing and operating energy infrastructure in North America. Its pipeline network includes approximately of pipeline and connects with virtually all major gas supply basins in North America...
Comerford Reservoir
Comerford Reservoir
Comerford Reservoir is a impoundment located on the Connecticut River on the boundary between Vermont and New Hampshire in the United States. The reservoir is formed by the Frank D...
is the reservoir created behind the dam, named after Frank D. Comerford, president of the Connecticut River Power Company and the New England Power Company.
Hydroelectric power plants have the ability to vary the amount of power generated, depending on the demand. Steam turbine
Steam turbine
A steam turbine is a mechanical device that extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam, and converts it into rotary motion. Its modern manifestation was invented by Sir Charles Parsons in 1884....
power plants are not as easily "throttled" because of the amount of thermodynamic inertia contained in their systems.
Geology
In what would become the Connecticut River, running water wore out a rocky gorge 40 feet (12 m) to 100 feet (30 m) deep in pre-glacial days. The result was a gentle gradient, 10 feet (3 m) to the 1 miles (1.6 km). The drop is 320 feet (98 m) over 15 miles (24 km). The area was called "Fifteen Mile Falls."History
On September 30, 1930, President Herbert HooverHerbert Hoover
Herbert Clark Hoover was the 31st President of the United States . Hoover was originally a professional mining engineer and author. As the United States Secretary of Commerce in the 1920s under Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge, he promoted partnerships between government and business...
remotely initiated the generation of electricity from Comerford Dam, then New England's largest single hydroelectric development. This was the first in a series, harnessing hydroelectric power in the United States in the 1930s. The power was sent 126 miles (202.8 km) for use in Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. At the time of its construction, it was the largest "retaining wall" in the United States, representing more than 90000 cubic yards (68,809.9 m³) of concrete.
In 2005, USGen New England sold the dam to TransCanada Hydro Northeast Inc.
Construction
A camp was constructed in East Barnet, VermontBarnet, Vermont
Barnet is a town in Caledonia County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,690 at the 2000 census. Barnet contains the locations of Barnet Center, East Barnet, McIndoe Falls, Mosquitoville, Passumpsic and West Barnet.-Geography:...
in 1928 for 1500 workers. The camp contained its own housing, commissary, theater (which substituted as a church on Sunday), and a hospital. It had its own hockey and basketball teams. 120 people prepared and served meals. 1300 men worked the day shift from 7-6 with one hour off for lunch. 300 men worked the night shift.
Construction materials were supplied on a special 3 miles (4.8 km) railroad track built to the site.