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UTAH'S DIXIE HISTORICAL SITES
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Where is it? |
| WASHINGTON FIELDS DAM To find the Washington Fields Dam you will go through Washington Fields. Turn east on "Washington Dam Road" and soon cross the canal. This canal supplies irrigation to approximately 2500 acres of farmland in the Washington of St. George Fields. This stream of water plays a very important roll in the economy of Washington County. The dam is not easily seen from the road. After traveling 4 miles on Washington Dam Road we pass over a very steep ridge (reef or hogsback.) The dam is about one block to the north. After traveling north another 1/2 mile, you can look west down the river and see where the dam is. Because it is build on a natural rock foundation with a natural rock spillway, it has served well for 110 years or since the early 1890*s.. For over 30 years prior to its construction, the pioneers fought a losing battle with the Virgin River. Many dams were constructed downstream, only to wash out and cause crops to wilt. Rebuilding these dams was very, very discouraging and expensive. During the year of 1892 the population of Washington dropped from 600 to 312.
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