Caledonia Dam

Infobox_Dam
dam_name= Caledonia Dam


caption= Caledonia Dam 2007
official_name= Caledonia Dam
crosses= Grand River
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locale=Caledonia, Ontario, Canada
maint= Grand River Conservation Authority
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open= October 22, 1980
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extra= The Caledonia Dam is a dam on the Grand River upstream from the Caledonia Bridge. It was built to replace the original dam which was built by the Grand River Navigation Company in 1835. Many dams were built along the Grand River so that travellers could navigate from Lake Erie to Brantford. A train bridge passes almost directly over the dam, this has caused problems for the annual Canada Day fireworks display.

The use as a navigational tool stopped in 1879, it still provided local mills, especially the Grand River Mill, with power and gave Caledonians entertainment. The new dam was built downstream from where the old dam was. Fish ladders were incorporated in to the new design. There is also a provision for a boat lock which would allow ships to navigate the river but this has not been needed, thus hasn't been built.

Unfortunately visitors can not stand on the "deck" of the dam, as some of the people who have jumped off the dam have almost drowned in the harsh whirlpools. Today the deck is still closed off to the public with fences and "No Tresspassing" signs. Due to increased water flow from ice, floods normally happen in the park downstream of the dam in spring