On this day: 1874 - Flood Disaster

On this day in 1874, a dam burst in Mill River, Massachusetts resulting in the release of the Williamsburg Reservoir. The ensuing catastrophic flood destroyed four downstream villages resulted in 139 fatalities. This incident is said to be the first major dam disaster in the United States and one of the most significant technological disasters of 19th century America. The break was attributed to faulty construction. In the aftermath of the flood, Massachusetts and other northeast states passed dam safety laws.

Source: UMass http://goo.gl/I6TGX

                                                      

Source: Wood Museum of Springfield History via Disasters in  the Valley http://goo.gl/EOKLM

Sources
Disasters in the Valley - http://goo.gl/EPuHK
UMass - http://goo.gl/f2Lak

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Steven Kuhr

Emergency Management Nexus
Disaster History

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