By hello
Built in 1835 as part of the James River and Kanawha Canal project, this 12-foot-high structure was designed to divert water into the canal and help boats navigate the Falls of the James. Today, the dam is recognized as a hazardous "drowning machine" that has caused multiple fatalities, and its associated ruins and the nearby Powhite Park offer a natural, wild landscape within the city. While the dam itself remains, the area is also notable for the historic Pumphouse and the remnants of the canal system, which serve as reminders of the region's industrial and transportation history.