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All the United States Tennessee Nashville 8th Avenue Reservoir
AO Edited

8th Avenue Reservoir

In 1912, a broken section of the reservoir wall released millions of gallons of water and destroyed many homes downhill.

Nashville, Tennessee

Added By
Ken J
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curious denizens   Tennessee State Library and Archives/Public Domain
broken wall section   Tennessee State Library and Archives/Public Domain
175-foot wall piece   Tennessee State Library and Archives/Public Domain
Surrounding area in 2021   KenJ / Atlas Obscura User
White stone is the repaired section   KenJ / Atlas Obscura User
Park facing the area that flooded   KenJ / Atlas Obscura User
  GREG MEYER md / Atlas Obscura User
  GREG MEYER md / Atlas Obscura User
  GREG MEYER md / Atlas Obscura User
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About

On a prominent hill visible from much of downtown Nashville, a stone reservoir with a capacity of 51 million gallons peeks above the surrounding tree-filled park. Completed in 1889, currently only used at half capacity but still the largest such serving Nashville. Many passersby see it daily yet few are aware that it was the site of a major disaster. 

Just after midnight on the 5th of November, 1912, the ground under the base of the reservoir's 22-foot thick wall gave way. The breached wall released millions of gallons down the hillside knocking several homes right off their foundations and damaging dozens more. Reportedly some people were floated out of their homes while still in their beds. Amazingly, the only fatalities recorded were a few chickens.

The 175-foot wide repair is still noticeable 100 years later, due to the lighter color stones used in 1912. Below ground, the clay that eroded was replaced with concrete. Still serving thirsty Nashvillians today, the reservoir has been modernized in several ways and its foundation is well monitored so there is little risk of any new catastrophe.

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History Disasters Floods Water Reservoir

Know Before You Go

Hilly old Reservoir Park is open to the public but for safety reasons the reservoir is fenced off. The repaired section is better noticed from the surrounding elevations, passengers on Interstate 65 have a particularly good view.

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Added By

KenJ

Edited By

GREG MEYER md

  • GREG MEYER md

Published

January 10, 2022

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Sources
  • https://wpln.org/post/curious-nashville-the-citys-biggest-reservoir-once-flooded-a-neighborhood-but-still-stands-today/
  • https://library.nashville.org/blog/2019/08/130-years-later-8th-avenue-reservoir-still-stands
  • https://sharetngov.tnsosfiles.com/tsla/exhibits/disasters/floods.htm
8th Avenue Reservoir
824 Argyle Ave
Nashville, Tennessee, 37203
United States
36.139432, -86.780753
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