Life on the River: Hamilton

Life on the River: Hamilton. . The Great River Road runs through Hamilton, a true Mississippi River town. , Steamboats and Picnics , The rolling hills and timber lining the shores of the river attracted early settlers to what was to become the city of Hamilton. What a sight it must have been to watch the steamboats on the river. Even today, it does not take much imagination to hear the calls of "Mark twain" or imagine Hamiltonians or yesteryear enjoying Sunday picnics on the bank of the river., A River Icon , The Keokuk dam and power plant are the most visible icons of Hamilton's reliance on the river. The dam and plant not only enable barges and boats to navigate the river safely, but are an important source of clean energy. The islands, wetlands, and timberland above the dam provide important wildlife habitat year round. In winter, bald eagles roost in trees and feed on fish in open waters. , (aside:), About the Dam and Power Plant, .The dam and plant were constructed between January, 1910 and May, 1913., .When completed, the dam spanned nearly one mile and was the second longest in the world., .At nearly one mile long it is still the longest dam on the Mississippi., .The dam was designated a National Civil Engineering Landmark in 1989., .The dam's Lock 19 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places., .It is the largest privately owned dam and powerhouse on the Mississippi., - "Mark twain" is a steamboat term meaning the river is two fathoms deep and safe to navigate. Author Samuel Clemens, a licensed steamboat pilot, took this term as his famous pen name, Mark Twain.