Johnstown’s Flood of 1889

Description

Science now reveals the true cause of the dam breach flood that destroyed Johnstown in 1889. The tragic loss of more than 2200 lives was preventable; the initial investigation of the flood was hijacked, delayed, and distorted by powerful members of the industrial elite. This book bridges the gap between history and science, reexamining eyewitness accounts of the flood and historic documents about the investigation, and applying new LiDAR, GPS, and hydraulic studies to solve the mystery – what caused the Great Flood of 1889? The book includes a notable chapter on the “sister” of the South Fork Dam, “The Forgotten Dam” at Hollidaysburg, PA. Front Matter ....Pages i-xvii Introduction (Neil M. Coleman)....Pages 1-6 The Gathering Storm – “A Shower of Fishes” (Neil M. Coleman)....Pages 7-14 Early History of the South Fork Dam (Neil M. Coleman)....Pages 15-31 The South Fork Fishing & Hunting Club (Neil M. Coleman)....Pages 33-48 Day of the Dam Breach (Neil M. Coleman)....Pages 49-74 The Viaduct (Neil M. Coleman)....Pages 75-83 Investigation by the ASCE Committee (Francis et al. 1891) and the Fate of their Report (Neil M. Coleman)....Pages 85-98 Biographical Sketches of John G. Parke, Jr. and the Engineers Behind the ASCE Investigation (Neil M. Coleman)....Pages 99-135 Analysis of the South Fork Dam and the Former Lake Conemaugh (Neil M. Coleman)....Pages 137-150 Hydraulic Calculations (Neil M. Coleman)....Pages 151-171 Discussion (Neil M. Coleman)....Pages 173-186 Conclusions (Neil M. Coleman)....Pages 187-190 The Forgotten Dam: The Eastern Reservoir at Hollidaysburg and Its Role in Canal History (Neil M. Coleman, Stephanie Wojno)....Pages 191-213 End Notes (Neil M. Coleman)....Pages 215-226 Back Matter ....Pages 227-256