Washington Canal Floods
Item
Title
Washington Canal Floods
Description
On Saturday, September 16, 1843, a violent storm caused the rivers feeding into the Potomac to rise dramatically. The resulting water levels were higher than anyone could remember. When the Potomac River and Washington Canal overflowed their banks, water flooded into the cellars and storage rooms in properties along the waterfronts in the Federal City and Georgetown. It covered one of the bridges across the canal, which connected the Mall with the city, and damaged the supply of some of the local businesses. Flooding like this continued until the 1870s, when engineers brought it somewhat under control.
Type
Environmental Disaster
Source
“Great Flood,” Madisonian for the Country (Washington, DC)
Date
09/18/1843
Coverage
1830-1859
topic
commerce & trade
environment
neighborhood