Bridgeton, New Jersey Flood of 1934
Encyclopedia
The Flood of 1934 was a natural disaster that hit the town of Bridgeton, New Jersey
in August 1934. Over the course of three days, heavy rains fell in the region, swelling Sunset Lake
and other local interconnected waterways. At the time, there were two earthen dams holding the water back at Sunset Lake and Mary Elmer Lake
. Eventually the pressure was too much and the dams gave way sending a torrent of water down the Cohansey River as well as tributaries connected to the Lakes. The wall of water surged down through the banks of the Cohansey, emptying the lakes and the Raceway and flowing into and through downtown Bridgeton, which straddles the river. All the bridges that connected the east and west sides of the town were destroyed. Also damaged was Tumbling Dam Park, where the dam that held the water of Sunset Lake was located.
) used a donated lifeboat
to set up a temporary ferry
service by stringing a rope across the River and pulling the boat back and forth. Later, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers came in and set up a temporary pontoon bridge
. In the photographs taken at the time, the pontoon bridge appears to be very flimsy. In fact it was very stable, and one could drive a car across it.
Due to the surge of water during the flood, much debris was deposited in the Cohansey River, making navigation of the waterway dangerous. The City hired a hard-hat diver to help in the removal of the debris. This is where Art Mckee, the "Father of Underwater treasure hunting" got his start.
Bridgeton, New Jersey
Bridgeton is a city in Cumberland County, New Jersey, United States, in the south part of the state, on the Cohansey River, near Delaware Bay. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city population was 25,349. It is the county seat of Cumberland County...
in August 1934. Over the course of three days, heavy rains fell in the region, swelling Sunset Lake
Sunset Lake (New Jersey)
Sunset Lake is a medium-sized reservoir located in and near the city of Bridgeton in southern New Jersey . The reservoir lies mostly in the townships of Hopewell Township and Upper Deerfield Township. The lake was created by damming a stream that feeds to the area from above Seeley Lake...
and other local interconnected waterways. At the time, there were two earthen dams holding the water back at Sunset Lake and Mary Elmer Lake
Mary Elmer Lake
Mary Elmer Lake is a reservoir on the Cohansey River in Cumberland County, New Jersey, used for water-supply and recreation purposes.-Description:The lake is located in the park system of the city of Bridgeton, New Jersey, and is owned by the city...
. Eventually the pressure was too much and the dams gave way sending a torrent of water down the Cohansey River as well as tributaries connected to the Lakes. The wall of water surged down through the banks of the Cohansey, emptying the lakes and the Raceway and flowing into and through downtown Bridgeton, which straddles the river. All the bridges that connected the east and west sides of the town were destroyed. Also damaged was Tumbling Dam Park, where the dam that held the water of Sunset Lake was located.
Aftermath
In the aftermath of the flood, residents had no way of crossing the Cohansey River from one side of the town to the other. To go around the River meant a 21 miles (33.8 km) detour. The citizens were given short term relief when a Troop of Sea Scouts (associated with the Boy Scouts of AmericaBoy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America is one of the largest youth organizations in the United States, with over 4.5 million youth members in its age-related divisions...
) used a donated lifeboat
Lifeboat (rescue)
A rescue lifeboat is a boat rescue craft which is used to attend a vessel in distress, or its survivors, to rescue crewmen and passengers. It can be hand pulled, sail powered or powered by an engine...
to set up a temporary ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
service by stringing a rope across the River and pulling the boat back and forth. Later, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers came in and set up a temporary pontoon bridge
Pontoon bridge
A pontoon bridge or floating bridge is a bridge that floats on water and in which barge- or boat-like pontoons support the bridge deck and its dynamic loads. While pontoon bridges are usually temporary structures, some are used for long periods of time...
. In the photographs taken at the time, the pontoon bridge appears to be very flimsy. In fact it was very stable, and one could drive a car across it.
Due to the surge of water during the flood, much debris was deposited in the Cohansey River, making navigation of the waterway dangerous. The City hired a hard-hat diver to help in the removal of the debris. This is where Art Mckee, the "Father of Underwater treasure hunting" got his start.