Floods in Maury County
Aerial photograph of downtown Columbia and Riverside area on February 14, 1948. Photograph from Tennessee State Library and Archives.[1]
This is a list of significant floods that have occurred in Maury County. Before 1902, floods are included based on newspaper and historical reports indicating significant damage or loss-of-life occurred. After 1902, official records are used and only floods above 41 feet are listed.
For the Duck River at Columbia, 32 feet is considered Flood Stage, and 41 considered Major Flood Stage.[2] The following effects may occur during flooding:
- At 34 feet: Water begins to cover Highway 247 near Williamsport.
- At 34.5 feet: Water begins to cover school grounds at Riverside Elementary School in Columbia.
- At 36 feet: Water reaches Riverside Drive in Columbia.
- At 42 feet: Water reaches the U.S. Highway 31 bridge in Columbia.
- At 44 feet: Water reaches Iron Bridge Road in Columbia and the Columbia city maintenance garage.
- At 45 feet: Water affects businesses and homes in Santa Fe.
- At 46 feet: Evacuation of businesses and homes in and around Columbia may be required.
- At 49 feet: Homes on Riverside Drive are flooded.[2]
| Date | Stream | Description |
|---|---|---|
| December 1847 | Duck River | A bridge across the Duck River was carried away, and Horsley's Mill near Columbia was destroyed on December 13. For decades afterward this was regarded as the highest flood in Columbia's history.[3] |
| April 1874 | Duck River | Damaged a flour mill and bridge, and destroyed a tannery around April 16. May have been higher than the 1847 flood. [4] |
| March 1902 | Duck River | River crested at 48' at Columbia on Holy Saturday, March 29.[2] |
| March 1929 | Duck River | River crested at 43.1' at Columbia on March 25.[2] |
| February 1948 | Duck River | River crested at 51.75' at Columbia on Valentine's Day, February 14.[2] |
| March 1955 | Duck River | River crested at 44.78' at Columbia on March 23.[2] |
| January 1970 | Duck River | River crested at 41.31' at Columbia on New Year's Day, January 1.[2][5] |
| March 1973 | Duck River | River crested at 49.31' at Columbia on St. Patrick's Day, March 17.[2] |
| January 1974 | Duck River | River crested at 42.38' at Columbia on January 29.[2] |
| March 1975 | Duck River | River crested at 48.31' at Columbia on March 14.[2] |
| February 1991 | Duck River | River crested at 46.80' at Columbia on February 20.[2] |
| December 1991 | Duck River | River crested at 41.68' at Columbia on December 3.[5] |
| March 1994 | Duck River | River crested at 41.02' at Columbia on March 29.[5] |
| January 2002 | Duck River | River crested at 45.61' at Columbia on January 26.[2] |
| May 2003 | Duck River | River crested at 44.83' at Columbia on May 8.[2] |
| May 2010 | Duck River | River crested at 44.91' at Columbia on May 3.[2] |
| February 2019 | Duck River | River crested at 42.76' at Columbia on February 24.[2] |
References
- ↑ "Photograph and Image Search Full Citation: Image ID 24562." Tennessee Secretary of State - TSLA. Undated. Web (tnsos.org). 15 Feb. 2021.]
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 "Duck River at Columbia." National Weather Service - Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Center. Undated. Web (weather.gov). 15 Feb. 2021.
- ↑ Old Times." (recollections of previous floods). The (Columbia, Tenn.) Herald and Mail. 13 Jan. 1871, p. 3. Web (newspapers.com). 15 Feb. 2021.
- ↑ "Fearful Disaster at Columbia." The Nashville Union and American. 17 April 1874, p. 4. Web (newspapers.com). 15 Feb. 2021.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Historic Crests for Duck River at Columbia." National Weather Service. Undated. Web (weather.gov). 15 Feb. 2021.
