National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Fonte River Dam

Olmo, Richard

A National Register of Historic Places Registration Form for the Fonte River Dam. Narrative Description Summary Paragraph: "The Fonte Dam is built in the upper third of the Fonte River drainage where the river flows generally eastward. The land slops steeply upwards to both the north and south of the dam. Tropical tree and shrub vegetation characterizes the north-slope while grasses are more predominant on the south slope. Trees and shrubs form a distinct riparian zone downstream from the dam. The dam impounds a very small pond on its upstream side. The dam is principally poured concrete and trends roughly North-South. Two-hundred cubic yards of concrete were used in its construction. Its finished dimensions were 150 feet long, 24 feet high, 17 feet thick at the base, and 4 ft thick at the top. The complete length is currently obscured by colluvial wash and secondary growth. The spillway was finished with red brick, while the spillway retaining walls were constructed of red brick and then covered with concrete. The dam is basically intact, and the spillway continues to operate, although the dam no longer functions to contribute to the domestic water supply of Hagatna. There is minor damage to concrete facings, particularly along the top of the dam in the vicinity of the valve box. Steel and wood associated with housings, valves, the access walkway, and the water distribution system are missing or rusting in place. The bulk of the former reservoir (originally measured at 650 feet long by 150 feet wide) has in-filled since the dam was abandoned (sometime during or just after WWII)." Statement of Significance Summary Paragraph: "Fonte Dam was the first construction related to the modern water system for the city of Hagatna. It represented the largest government engineering effort that directly benefited the local population. The dam is no longer in use, but remains in place and is in very good condition." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the Guam State Historic Preservation Office, Bureau of Parks and Recreation, administered by the Pacific West Regional Office, National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior.

National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Fonte River Dam

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