This Fascinating Idaho Dam Has Been Abandoned And Reclaimed By Nature For Decades Now

 

Idaho certainly has its share of abandoned places. While many of these destinations are creepy and downright spooky, others are quite fascinating and have a certain beauty about them, like Eileen Dam. Located on the Moyie River in Boundary County, this northern Idaho feature has been left sitting for decades while nature slowly reclaims it. And while intriguing, the dam’s history is just as interesting.

Approximately a century ago, construction on Eileen Dam began. This dam is located in northern Idaho, along the Moyie River and near the mouth of Skin Creek.
The purpose of the dam was to provide electricity to several mines in the area. The dam was named Eileen, after a nearby crossing on the Union Pacific railroad line.
Workers built Eileen Dam over the course of several years. The completed dam was approximately 50 feet tall and 150 feet long. It featured an arch dam design, as this type of dam was strong and sturdy. They were not supposed to fail.
Unfortunately, the eastern side of the dam was built next to unstable shale rock, and the power of the season’s run-off and the high water pressure destroyed the corner of the dam.
The price to repair the dam was too much for the mining company, and it has since sat broken and ineffective. It is simply a reminder of Idaho’s mining history.
The Moyie River, near Eileen Dam, is a popular destination for whitewater rafting. Check out this video by Kevin Nimmo to get a glimpse of the dam and the surrounding area from the water. 

https://youtu.be/fXdarB7Gm60

Have you ever been to Eileen Dam or seen it in person? What are some other abandoned places in Idaho you love to visit? Let us know in the comments.

If you wish to check out even more ruins in Idaho, check out this list and the stories behind each one.

Address: Eileen Dam, Moyie Springs, ID 83845, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

9 Stereotypes About Idaho That Need To Be Put To Rest – Right Now

Image
  Remember when you were a kid and you were told that it wasn’t nice to stereotype people? So why would you stereotype a state? There are more than a few outrageous rumors floating around about Idaho and the people who live here. We collected nine of the most famous ones so that they can finally be put to rest. These stereotypes are just that—stereotypes. By no means do they reflect our entire state, so maybe think twice when you catch yourself giving into one! 1. All Idahoans are either potato farmers... Indeed, potatoes are one of our state's most important crops when it comes to the agricultural industry. In fact, more than 320,000 acres of land are used to grow potatoes every year. But no, we don't ALL work on potato farms. That would just be ridiculous. 2. ...or rednecks. Sure, Idaho is a red state but that doesn't make everyone who lives here a redneck. You MIGHT come across some Bud Light lovin...
Read more

Skillern Hot Springs: Natural Hot Springs in Idaho

Image
 With nearly 130 soakable hot springs (the most soakable hot springs of any state in the country), there are dozens of destinations to visit. However, places like   Lava Hot Springs ,   Goldbug Hot Springs , and   Kirkham Hot Springs   can draw in quite a crowd. That’s why I love Skillern Hot Springs. This is a lesser-known, almost top-secret spring that is worth visiting. However, you’ll want to put on your hiking shoes because it’s not an easy journey to get here. Skillern Hot Springs is tucked away in the Sawtooth National Forest. Some of the towns closest to this unique destination include Fairfield to the south and Ketchum to the east. You’ll find the trailhead and parking area for this natural spring at Canyon Transfer Camp. To visit this natural spring, plan a full-day adventure.  Grab your hiking boots , swimsuit, and lots of water because you’ll have a six-mile journey ahead of you. The main trail splits into upper and lower trails. During the late...
Read more

Waco, Texas Part I

  Waco (/ˈweɪkoʊ/ WAY-koh) is a city in and the county seat of McLennan County, Texas, United States. It is situated along the Brazos River and I-35, halfway between Dallas and Austin. The city had a U.S. census estimated 2023 population of 144,816, making it the 24th-most populous city in the state. The Waco metropolitan statistical area consists of McLennan, Falls and Bosque counties, which had a 2020 population of 295,782. Bosque County was added to the Waco MSA in 2023. The 2024 U.S. census population estimate for the Waco metropolitan area was 307,123 residents. History 1824–1865 Indigenous peoples occupied areas along the river for thousands of years. In historic times, the area of present-day Waco was occupied by the Wichita Indian tribe known as the "Waco" (Spanish: Hueco or Huaco). In 1824, Thomas M. Duke was sent to explore the area after violence erupted between the Waco people and the European settlers. His report to Stephen F. Austin, described the Waco ...
Read more