Friday, November 9, 2012

300 Million Dollars of New Deal


The Tygart Dam, near Grafton, West Virginia.

According to the West Virginia Department of Commerce: "Construction of Tygart Dam started in 1935 and was completed in 1938.  It was one of the first Public Works Administration (PWA) projects initiated to reduce unemployment through the construction of massive, labor intensive projects.  Veterans, as well as men from (local) counties were given employment preference...Tygart Dam is currently operated by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  The dam overlook area is open to the public from sunrise to sunset and free public tours are available Fridays in June, July & August" (http://www.wvcommerce.org/travel/travelplanner/attraction/Tygart-Dam-Grafton/6598/default.aspx, accessed November 9, 2012).

The cost to construct the dam was about $18 million, or about $300 million in today's dollars (http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/rec/lakes/tygartla.htm, accessed November 9, 2012)

Photo by Brent McKee. 

No comments:

Post a Comment