“We’ve never done this before,” MCD Manager of Communications, Outreach and Stewardship Sarah Hall said. “We wanted people to have a better understanding of what our flood protection system does, and get any questions people have about the structure and how the system works together,” she said. “We really just want to be available to people and answer their questions.” From 2 to 5 p.m., visitors will have the opportunity to meet experts who maintain the dam, learn about ongoing and future projects, and explore a historical exhibit detailing the 1913 flood that led to the dam’s creation. The event is open to all ages and abilities. Although registration is not required, it is available through the event’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/events/733556856050812.
A special free gift will be provided for the first 100 registrants. Completed in 1921, Taylorsville Dam was built following the Great Flood of 1913 and remains an important part of the MCD’s Flood Protection System. U.S. Route 40 runs across the top of the structure, which spans the Great Miami River.
“Taylorsville is one of the five major dams that we manage, and it is an instrumental part of the entire system,” Hall said. “The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has told us that one of the reasons that our river is in such good shape, and has such healthy fish populations and the water quality is so high, is because of the protection that the MCD does to prevent development in the flood plain.” Speakers at the open house event will include Taylorsville Dam’s Chief Engineer, scientists and construction experts, Hall said.
“We just want everybody to come out and check out the dam,” she said. “We’d love for people to come out and learn more about their flood protection system, and learn more about their rivers and water in general.”
