Johnstown in Cambria County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
A Success Story
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 7, 2009
1. A Success Story Marker
The concrete river channels before you are part of the Pittsburgh District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineer's [sic], Johnstown Local Flood Protection Project (JLFPP). It is the longest paved channelization project in Pennsylvania and one of the largest in the United States. Congress authorized construction of the project through amendments to the landmark federal Flood Control Act of 1936. The project is a specialized engineering structure eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
The JLFPP was constructed between 1938 and 1943 to handle river flows equivalent to those experienced in Johnstown during the 1936 St. Patrick's Day flood. Flood protection improvements consisted of deepening and widening the channels in the Conemaugh, Little Conemaugh, and Stonycreek rivers and the construction of concrete side slopes and floodwalls.
The project has been a success. In its six decades, the project was overtopped only once during the exceptional "500-year flood" of 1977. Through 2002, the project has provided over $803 million in flood damage prevention benefits.
[Photo captions read]
[Top] Johnstown Local Flood Protection Project, 1941
[Bottom] The "Point", 1930s
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work
this page online
Location. 40° 19.837′ N, 78° 55.505′ W. Marker is in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in Cambria County. Marker is in Point Park, near the confluence of the Little Conemaugh and Stonycreek Rivers, off Washington Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Johnstown PA 15901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Pennsylvania Railroad Stone Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Flood Prevention (within shouting distance of this marker); Johnstown Local Flood Protection Project (within shouting distance of this marker); Johnstown Flood (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); American Red Cross (about 500 feet away); Johns Street Bridge (about 600 feet away); Main Street and Point Stadium Ramp (approx. ¼ mile away); Rolling Mill Mine Disaster (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Johnstown.
Also see . . . Johnstown Local Flood Protection Project. Library of Congress website entry (Submitted on May 5, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 7, 2009
2. A Success Story Marker
Looking north toward the "Point," the confluence of the Stonycreek (left) and Little Conemaugh (right) Rivers
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr.
3. Little Conemaugh River Channelization
Looking NW toward Point Park and the confluence of the Little Conemaugh and Stonycreek Rivers
Credits. This page was last revised on May 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 18, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 638 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 18, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on February 15, 2012, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
