Johnstown, PA
WWW.JOHNSTOWNCAFE.COM
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1977 FLOOD
Black Friday
May 31st, 1889
SUMMARY

Burst Dams

Laurel Run Dam on Laurel Run. The 10 year old earthen dam held 101 million gallons of water. It had a 42 foot high spillway. The dam Is owned by the Johnstown Water Authority. When it failed the water enveloped Tanneryville and caused deaths and heavy property losses.

Sandy Run Dam on Sandy Run. The dam held 18 million gallons of water. It Is owned by the Highland Water and Sewer Authority. The 63 year old dam had a spillway of 28 feet.

Salix Water Dam on Otto Run. It held 2 million gallons of water. Its spillway height was under 25 feet. It is owned by the Adams Township Water Authority.

Cambria Slope Mine 33 on Sanders Run. It held 7 million gallons of water. The dam leased by Bethlehem Mines Corp. had a spillway of 32 feet.

Unnamed Dam on Peggy’s Run, Franklin Borough. This dam was leased by Bethlehem Mines Corp. and held an undetermined amount of water at the time of the flood because it was used as a catch basin.

An unnamed impoundment dam east of Johnstown at St. Michael held less than 1,000 gallons. It was a reserve dam for Bethlehem Mines Corp.