This is the picture for quiz #3. It is a picture of the collapse of the (H)Ousatonic Dam. On January 23, 1891, the Ousatonic Dam broke when the waters of the Housatonic rose eighteen feet above their usual height. The original dam had a vertical drop that caused the falling water to undermine the dam footings that caused the collapse. The new dam had a sloping was that eliminated the problem.
Everything in lower Derby was flooded. The damage the collapse caused was estimated to be over $100,000.00 . There was also little left to the dam, it was destroyed all the way down to the foundation. For a more current picture of the dam, click here.
This quiz was submitted by Irving School students Jason Devonshuk, Ben Ellis and Kelsey Thomas.
Correct answers were submitted by:
CF Douglas
Ellen Lenart
David Troop
To see our earlier quizzes and learn more about Derby's unique history, click here.
