Atlas Obscura · People & society

Connell Lake Dam: A Historic Alaskan Structure

The Connell Lake dam in Ketchikan, Alaska, is a weathered structure that impedes fish passage on Ward Creek, blocking access to miles of habitat. It also has a cinematic history and a connection to Alaska's industrial past.

Federal agencies, including NOAA Fisheries, have frequently cited the dam for blocking fish passage. The structure itself is described as imposing and showing signs of wear, with cracks in places.

The dam was featured in the 1954 film noir "Cry Vengeance," where a gun battle occurred on its surface and a dummy was thrown over to simulate a death scene. The film is now available online.

The dam offers a view into Alaska's industrial history and the Tongass National Forest. It once supplied water via a wooden-stave pipeline, remnants of which are still visible.

The dam's history is linked to nearby pulp mill operations and the broader timber industry in Southeast Alaska, which faced scrutiny for heavy subsidization and ecological impact, as detailed in a 1988 Sports Illustrated article.

AI-samenvatting op basis van de bron.