The growth of the steel mills in the Mahoning Valley was limited by the Mahoning River itself.  The river was not large to transport goods, and it was a more erratic water supply than competitors in Chicago, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh had access to.  The mills needed a regular water supply for cooling and for carrying away waste products.  The uneven supply was especially noticeable in the hot and dry summer months, and occasionally during thaws in the spring. 

Mill managers wanted surrounding communities to build reservoirs to control floods and stabilize the flow and availability of water.  But it was not until the flood of 1913 that the need to control the water level became obvious.  In March of that year, it rained for four days straight, flooding the Valley’s homes, businesses, and mills, and causing thousands of dollars in damage.

Dam construction began on a site in the upper Mahoning River in Milton Township in 1916.  Damming this ‘wild, deep, and remarkably picturesque gorge’ resulted in the creation of Lake Milton, covering 1,700 acres and offering a reliable water supply of 10 billion gallons.  At first, use was restricted to keep the lake clean as a source of drinking water, but after Meander Reservoir was built, Lake Milton became a valued recreational area.

Have you ever built a dam in a stream or gutter?  How well did it work?  How many dollars would 10 billion pennies make?  For a better look at these images, go to www.mahoninghistory.org.  Under Education, click on ‘What Do You Know’ for a list of articles.  Then click on the embedded images in an article for a downloadable file. You can also visit the Historical Society’s Arms Family Museum of Local History to learn more.

Spring Commons Near Baldwins Mill

Spring Commons Bridge

Oak Hill Avenue

Market Street Bridge Flood, 1913

Cravers Livery Stable Flood, 1913

Pennsylvania Station Flood, 1913

Oak Hill Viaduct Flood