By Harold H. Strayer and Irving L. London

The heavy rainfall caused the water in the dam to rise higher and higher and by Thursday night the water was within seven feet of the top. It rained all Thursday night and at about 1:00 P.M. Friday the water was running over the breast. This caused the earthen surface to wear away and at 3:00 P.M. the breast finally gave way. The gap grew wider and wider and the lake went roaring down the valley. In just 45 minutes the Dam was emptied and 60 million tons of water was headed for South Fork, Mineral Point, Conemaugh, Woodvale and Johnstown.

WOODVALE

In 1889 Woodvale was a residential community with over 350 homes, wide streets, horse drawn street cars and a population of 1,247 persons. It was named after Charles S. Woods. The borough was the Cambria Iron Company's model town in the valley. In only 15 minutes Woodvale was wiped from the map. Every home except those on the hillside was completely carried away.

The only buildings left standing were the woolen and flour mill of the Cambria Iron Company and a bridge over the railroad tracks. The woolen mill stood near the center of the borough and employed over 300 girls. Because of the high water they were forced to quit work at noon. Thousands of tons of flotsam dealt the mill a staggering blow and water splashed the third floor but the building stood and checked the ferocious attack. The street car shed and 68 horses were buried beneath the flood mass.

This picture was taken from Prospect. Conemaugh and Franklin Borough are at the top of the picture.