Hide Article Text (OCR)
Homes EscapeWater DamageBv THOMAS G. HUGHESPittsfield’s Mill Brook Reservoir was reduced to little more than a big puddle early this morning when a huge section of the reservoir's dam wall gave way and sent a cascade of water ripping along Mill Brook into New Ixmox.None of the homes along the Famham Dam Road were reported damaged by the torrent of water which rushed down the side of Washington Mountain about 8:10. The bro^k flows into the Housatonic River in New Lenox, but no reports of flooding or unusually high water were received from homes or industries along the river banks.However, along the course of the brook and road, dozens of trees were uprooted and the water mark on one tree stillstanding was over six feet above the ground.Officials InspectPittsfield Mayor Remo Del Ciallo, Public Works Commissioner John Daniels and Water Commissioner John Burbank started to inspect the damage late this morning.Water Department Supt. William J. Carey said at the dam this morning that the reservoir had been filled to within four feet of the top before the dam gave way. The dam’s capacity was 14 million gallons.The dam had been plagued by holes for many years and had been patched in January 1965. when a hole 3j feet in diameter opened just below the top of the dam. At that point, a weighted plywood patch was applied.The dam served as a distributing reservoir for the larger Farnham Reservoir farther up Washington Mountain. The capacity of the larger reservoir is 447 million gallons.Though no homes in the city were without water because ofthe break, a 10-pound drop in water pressure was recorded atCity Hall.Along Farnham Dam Road, which runs from New Lenox Road up to the two reservoirs, two bridges were completely washed away and a third was badly damaged. All three were constructed with steel girders across the brook.Mrs. Hdna Zink, nurse at the home of Monroe England on Farnham Dam Road, said she heard a terrible rumbling noise” shortly after 8 a m. She looked out of a window of the home, located high above the brook, and saw the water rushingdown the river bed and road-wav. England’s is the last home on the road.Also undamaged was the home of Alan Sisselman. located on the bank of the brook. Mrs. Zink said she had been told that water surrounded the home for a time but did not cause any flooding.Bv 10 am, Lenox Public Works Supt. Andrew Piretti said the flow in the brook had returned to only three or four times” the normal light flow.Mill Brook Reservoir was built in 1908 and served as the city’s main water source for a few years. It was replaced by Farnham Reservoir. The city's main reservoir now is Cleveland, located in Hinsdale.JordanrsUABv DAVID LANC ASHIREiiiitiiiitiiimiiiitiiihiimituiiiiiiiimiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiAMMAN, Jordan (AP) — Jordan has agreed to let in Iraqi and Saudi Arabian troops within two months but only if U N. peacekeeping forces are withdrawn from the frontier be-
Newspaper Details
The Berkshire Eagle
Pittsfield, Massachusetts, US
Mon, Dec 12, 1966
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Lenox L.
MA, USA 24 May 2023
Other Publications Near Pittsfield, Massachusetts
Pittsfield Evening Eagle
Berkshire County Eagle
Berkshire Eagle
The Berkshire Eagle
Pittsfield Berkshire Evening Eagle
