The Patapsco Electric and Manufacturing company, of
Ellicott City, brought fame to the Patapsco River corridor in 1906 when it constructed the world's first underwater
hydroelectric plant to supply its electricity. The dam is named for
Victor Gustav Bloede (pronounced as
Blerda), a German immigrant who founded the nearby Avalon Water Works. Bloede hired
electrical engineer Otto Wonder to oversee the development of this unique hydroelectric project near Gray's Mill on the Patapsco River. Construction was performed by the Emmerson Ferro-Concrete company of Boston. The dam itself was long, wide at the base and had a drop of . It was an
Ambursen Hydraulic Construction Company (Boston-type) reinforced
concrete slab and
buttress dam. The
power plant technology and equipment were state of the art when it went into operation in 1907, with 34-inch
Poole & Hunt Leffel Wheels and two 30-inch 500 hp horizontal Samson Turbines capable of an electromotive force of 11,000 volts. A 200-foot fish ladder was constructed along the site. The arrangement made the facility the world's first underwater hydroelectric plant. In its original plan, the plant was meant as an independent competitor to the local electric companies, and supplied power to the surrounding towns of Illchester, Ellicott City and Catonsville many of which were outside of the utilities' service area. It replaced an earlier 300 hp plant purchased for $12,000 in 1900 two miles away at Gray's mills that employed a
millrace with a bevel gear and rope drive. The $175,000 electric generation equipment was engaged on 28 November 1908 at 3:30pm by Victor Bloede's daughter, Miss Vida Bloede. Waffles were served to 500 dignitaries and guests from electric waffle makers. The new
Maryland Public Service Commission refused to grant Bloede a franchise to compete in electricity generation. Bloede claimed that Consolidated was attempting to force a sale because the company was charging less on street light contracts with Catonsville and Baltimore. In 1913, the plant was sold to Consolidated Gas Electric Light and Power, a predecessor company of
Constellation Energy for $200,000 in stock. Consolidated constructed a new head gate and sluice after the purchase. The dam continued to generate electrical power within its interior until 1924 when it was closed due to the
competition of larger, more powerful plants. The 38 acre property was sold to the State of Maryland on July 22, 1938, on the condition that the property would not be resold to competition to generate electricity or be developed. Although the dam was severely damaged by the
flood of
Hurricane Agnes 1972, its ruins still stand, although the dam has been gutted leaving only a mud-filled shell. The gatehouse structures were removed since the storm left them unsafe. A semi-exposed sewer line remains onsite. In 1979, the state of Maryland budgeted $30,000 to investigate stabilizing the dam. In 1992, the
Department of Natural Resources added a $1.58 million
fish ladder to allow migrating fish to swim upstream without being blocked by the dam. More controversy has risen about the
American eel in that the dam blocks their passage as well. ==Removal==