August 2011 Greater Harrisburg's Community Newspaper - theBurg

Past Tense
Flow of the City
Harrisburg’s water, from river to reservoir.
Jason Wilson
The origin of Harrisburg’s city water
system dates back more than 200
years.
From its beginnings in 1785 until
around 1840, the small city’s most
reliable sources of fresh water were
hand-dug wells, rainwater and the
Susquehanna River.
By 1839, Harrisburg numbered
around 20,000 people, and the city
built a “water house” on Front Street.
A small reservoir was built at North
and 6th streets and direct pumping of
unfiltered river water was expanded
through the city.
As the city grew, so did river
pollution. An open reservoir was built
at Reservoir Park in 1873 and used
gravity to feed the lines. A year later,
a pumping station was built at North
and Front streets for pumping water
to the reservoir. By 1900, residents of
Harrisburg became concerned about
water-borne illnesses from drinking
unfiltered river water.
At the suggestion of Myra Lloyd
Dock and J. Horace McFarland—and
with the backing of wealthy city
residents—Harrisburg implemented
a 25-year campaign of city
beautification. The construction of
a filtration plant in 1905 on Hargest
Island (now City Island) was just one
outgrowth of this campaign.
In 1924, the system of pipes
was enlarged and improved and the
filtration plant’s capacity was doubled.
Additionally, a 36-inch water main
was installed
from the Pump
Station to 6th,
15th and State
streets, and the
reservoir was
increased to a
28-million gallon
capacity.
The flood of
1936 damaged
the water system
and left residents
without water.
As a result, the
William T. Dehart
Dam (named
after a City
Council member)
was built 20
miles northeast
of the city, with
an initial capacity
of more than 5
billion gallons
and at a cost of
$4 million. It was started in 1939 and
completed in 1941.
The old water system was
officially discontinued in 1948, but
remained available to augment the
supply should the need arise. The
flood of 1972 seriously damaged the
pumping and filtration stations, with
the latter being torn down in 1987.
In 1994, construction of the Dr.
Robert E. Young Water Services Center
in Susquehanna Township upgraded
Forget it Jake, it’s Harrisburg: The Dehart
Reservoir supplies the city’s water today
(top); a water conduit is installed along Rte.
39 near Wildwood Park, circa 1940 (bottom).
Photos: DCHS and HHA.
the system and
ensured that
Harrisburg’s
early legacy of
providing fresh
water will continue
throughout the
21st century.
Jason Wilson is a
research historian
for the Capitol
Preservation
Committee.
Photo: Historic Harrisburg Association
Then & Now
In 1908, the fountain at the corner of Derry and Mulberry streets actually contained water and was used by both thirsty
humans and horses. Today, the fountain is more colorful, if less practical, serving as a flower planter and giving drivers a
visual treat as they make their way through the heart of South Allison Hill.
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