| NS C48 rolls though the location of the dam that burst on May 31, 1889, an event that caused the Johnstown Flood. The profile of the dam is visible behind the lead locomotive. As a civil engineer, this site carries much darkness for me; this dam failure resulted in 2,209 deaths, the largest civilian casualty count in the history of the United States to that point. The dam had been constructed safely by the State for a canal reservior, but was later abandoned and subsequently purchased by an exclusive hunting club. They did not properly maintain the dam. In fact, the club put screening across the spillways and safety outlets to ensure fish stayed in the lake behind the dam, but these also clogged with debris. After a huge rain storm, debris fully clogged the screen, and disaster followed. The lesson for fellow engineers: do not ever let profit or pleasure cloud a situation dealing with public safety. The wealthy may not be used to hearing 'no' when it comes to their pastimes, but public safety must come first. |