wing dam

noun

1. a jetty for diverting the current of a stream.

Word History and Origins

Origin of wing dam¹

An Americanism dating back to 1800–10

Example Sentences

Most boats can’t pass over wing dams without losing a propeller or a motor, but a canoe can usually glide by without a scrape.

From Outside Online

In front of him, through the dark, he could make out a wing dam, one of the underwater structures used by the Army Corps of Engineers to push water into the main channel.

From Outside Online

They also built piers and a wing dam just above the present location of the bridge.

From Project Gutenberg

It's the easiest way to reach the wing dam that Sanderson built at the canyon inlet to turn the current against the right bank.

From Project Gutenberg

While I was down at the wing dam a man passed me, coming from the direction of the great house.

From Project Gutenberg

“Right here is where, before long, we are going to build a wing dam to strengthen the main one,” explained the engineer.

From Project Gutenberg

Some danger from freezing was also encountered the next season, when the last part of the wing dam was being constructed.

From Project Gutenberg