[1] The first Caledonia Dam was constructed between 1836 and 1842 by the Grand River Navigation Company.

The contractor, Ranald McKinnon, is known as Caledonia's founder because of his role in the building of this dam.

The new dam was built farther downstream, since it was no longer needed to run mills on the river.

The 1980 dam was built by the Grand River Conservation Authority, and is still maintained by the GRCA today.

[2] When constructed a provision for a boat lock was made so that, if in the future the GRCA wished to make the Grand River navigable once again only a small amount of construction would need to be undertaken on the dam structure.