Why are there so many hydroelectric dams along Route 1? The answer lies below ground in a 900 mile-long pluton of granite. Peter gets revved up and traces some of the places along the East coast escarpment, called the “Fall Line”.  Did you know that the Blackstone River in Pawtucket, RI is considered the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution in North America (it wasn’t the United States, yet!)?  Many of the old hydroelectric dams are being decommissioned and removed, like in Petersburg, VA.  In addition to being relatively small additions to the grid, they prevent fish from coming upriver to spawn.

2022- I’ve acquired a drone, and I thought some of the images I captured with it of the Conowingo Dam were worth sharing!

2024- I added a YouTube video about the Fall Line of the Piedmont Escarpment, because falling water is where all that power comes from!