largest artificial body of water in the state” upon it’s completion around 1910 contained the headwaters of Paxton Creek and released water at a steady volumetric discharge. The Harrisburg Telegraph later boasted the efficacy of the new Wildwood Lake in the summer of 1915 claiming that the lake is the sole reason floods are no more” in Harrisburg. “why This early example of large-scale engineered flood control in the Susquehanna Valley begins a century long narrative of combating the forces of this mighty river. The efforts of Dock were primarily motivated by the Progressive Era conservation movement, which largely began in Pennsylvania as a result of problems engendered by late nineteenth century industrialization “the and urbanization.” Ironically, the demolition of Wetzel’s Swamp, a wetland which was likely several hundred acres, further contributed to the destruction of Pennsylvania’s unique ecosystems and fragile wetlands rather than having promoted their conservation, which is what Dock is historically known for. Although this is an exception to the story of Dock in her grand efforts towards conservation it shows that, in this case, she favored the progression of cultural landscapes at the cost of sacrificing natural ones. Wildwood Park is now a physical memorialization that once attempted to preserve urban space in floodplains rather than allowing ecological processes work together to naturally mitigate the natural and healthy function of flooding. Twenty years later, this early method of flood control failed to keep Harrisburg free from inundation at the height of the Depression. Until 1972, the flood of 1936 was once known as the most devastating natural disaster in Pennsylvania. Known as the St. Patrick’s Day Flood, this flood was the high-water mark of natural disasters in Pennsylvania throughout the twentieth century until 1972. A disaster of this magnitude during the Depression intensified the cry of poverty stricken Pennsylvanians, and a call for a more organized and regulated public response
largest artificial body of water in the state” upon it’s completion around 1910 contained the headwaters of Paxton Creek and released water at a steady volumetric discharge. The Harrisburg Telegraph later boasted the efficacy of the new Wildwood Lake in the summer of 1915 claiming that the lake is the sole reason “why floods are no more” in Harrisburg. This early example of large-scale engineered flood control in the Susquehanna Valley begins a century long narrative of combating the forces of this mighty river. The efforts of Dock were primarily motivated by the Progressive Era conservation movement, which largely began in Pennsylvania as a result of “the problems engendered by late nineteenth century industrialization and urbanization.” Ironically, the demolition of Wetzel’s Swamp, a wetland which was likely several hundred acres, further contributed to the destruction of Pennsylvania’s unique ecosystems and fragile wetlands rather than having promoted their conservation, which is what Dock is historically known for. Although this is an exception to the story of Dock in her grand efforts towards conservation it shows that, in this case, she favored the progression of cultural landscapes at the cost of sacrificing natural ones. Wildwood Park is now a physical memorialization that once attempted to preserve urban space in floodplains rather than allowing ecological processes work together to naturally mitigate the natural and healthy function of flooding. Twenty years later, this early method of flood control failed to keep Harrisburg free from inundation at the height of the Depression. Until 1972, the flood of 1936 was once known as the most devastating natural disaster in Pennsylvania. Known as the St. Patrick’s Day Flood, this flood was the high-water mark of natural disasters in Pennsylvania throughout the twentieth century until 1972. A disaster of this magnitude during the Depression intensified the cry of poverty stricken Pennsylvanians, and a call for a more organized and regulated public response
Inundation-of-the-HeartlandRies-Edits.docx