Existing comment:
Decay and Repair
The abandoned South Fork Dam gradually deteriorated. Over the years, leaks developed, the discharge pipes were sold for scrap and, in 1862, a portion of the dam collapsed.
The potential for disaster became more acute after the dam was purchased by the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club. The new owners not only failed to make adequate repairs, but seriously compromised safety features that had been part of the original design. With each passing year, the enormous earthen dam continued to weaken, and the danger of a major break drew closer. |