 Dam construction for hydropower, cooling and rinse water, and boiler water for industry began circa 1763 and continued during the industrial revolution of the 1800s.These dams, as well as wastewater from the towns that grew up around factories along the river, contributed to the extirpation of many species of fish.Over time and with the closing of many of the factories, the dams ceased to provide hydropower or serve any other economic purpose.