Posted in Austin
August 02, 2017
It’s Impossible To Forget The Horrific Catastrophe That Hit Austin In 1900
Rushing waters brought horrific destruction to the city of Austin in the dawn of the 20th century. When the Austin Dam burst, people fled for their lives and rushed to escape from the impending danger. Even though it’s been over 100 years since this forceful flood wrecked the city, the Austin Dam Failure remains one of Austin’s biggest tragedies. It’s impossible to forget this horrific catastrophe that hit Austin in 1900.
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At 60 feet tall and 1,200 feet wide, the Austin Dam was one of the largest in the world. It's rush of electrical currents provided ample power to the city of Austin, and it seemed that a new era of progress was on the horizon.
The booming thunder and flashing lightening became the stuff of nightmares. Eleven feet of water roared over the dam, creating a gigantic waterfall that wasn't supposed to be there.
Wikimedia Commons
Witnesses said the sound fired "like a gunshot" when the dam cracked. In a matter of minutes, the middle section had broken off and was drifting downstream.
Hearts racing, the workers inside the power house fled for their lives. As the lower levels filled with water, two employees managed to escape through a tiny belt hole. Unfortunately, not everyone was so lucky.
This catastrophe claimed the lives of five employees and three young boys. It also left the city of Austin, once so rich with power, out of electricity for several months.
The engineers decided to build this dam above the Balcones Fault Zone, which is never a wise idea. The dam also had some construction issues. The head engineer, Joseph Frizell, quit halfway through the job which lead to even more engineers walking out before it was completed.
In 1940, the Tom Miller Dam was completed. It stands proud to this day, generating power and helping with flood control.
The next time you're enjoying a meal overlooking the gorgeous Lake Austin, you can thank the Tom Miller Dam.
