This course of action also limited the options for safe removal of excess water.ġ879-Reilly sold the dam to Benjamin Ruff, who bought it in the name of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club of Pittsburgh. This had two deleterious effects on the dam: it aggravated a sag at the top of the dam, making it more susceptible to overtopping. He removed the five sluice pipes at the base of the dam.
Engineer Morris provides the specifications for the dam.ġ840-1841-Construction finally began contractors were James Morehead of Pittsburgh and Hezekiah Packer of Williamsport.ġ842-1851-For many reasons, work was stopped and the dam was only half-completed later studies by civil engineers concluded that this work stoppage caused damages to the South Fork Dam that led, in part, to its failure on May 31, 1889.ġ847-The half-completed South Fork Dam failed for the first time.ġ852-June 10, the Western Reservoir was finally dammed.ġ853-South Fork Dam and Western Reservoir deemed ready for operation.ġ854-Pennsylvania Main Line Canal went out of business.ġ857-Pennsylvania Railroad bought the entire route of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal, including the South Fork Dam.ġ862-Due to heavy rains and lack of maintenance, the South Fork Dam failed for the second time the water in Johnstown was raised only 2-3 feet.ġ863-Canal between Johnstown and Blairsville was closed meaning there was no longer a viable reason to maintain the South Fork Dam.ġ875-Pennsylvania Railroad employee and US Congressman John Reilly, bought the South Fork Dam for $2,500.00. That same year, Pennsylvania called on engineer Sylvester Welch to find a spot for a feeder reservoir and he selected a spot on the South Fork Creek for construction of the South Fork Dam and Western Reservoir.ġ836-Pennsylvania legislature passes an act for the construction of the South Fork Dam.ġ839-Engineer William Morris conducts another study for the state concurring with Sylvester Welch's report that the South Fork Creek was the best place for a canal feeder reservoir and, ironically, the safest location for a dam in the event of spring flooding. The history of the South Fork Dam is a story of an immense structure that was never given the care such a structure demanded.ġ830s-Pennsylvania constructed the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh the canal's Western Division had its eastern terminus at Johnstown.ġ834-During the canal's first season, it was realized that the Conemaugh River could be problematic during drought situations. Mostly forgotten about by the 1870s-1880s, it was also a menace, over the heads of the people of Johnstown and the Conemaugh Valley. Power is not available on race weekends.To the layperson, the South Fork Dam was an impressive structure. Electric is $15 per night for 30 amp service and $25 for 50 amp service practice weekends only.
As long as Rocky Mountain continues their program, they deposit a $10 reward into the rider's Rocky Mountain account each month a member rides at least once in that month.Ĭamping is $5 per night per person except Friday and Saturday nights on MAMA race weekends. Rates: $35 for members ($25 to buy the 12-month membership), $40 for non-members. We hold practice the Friday before weather permitting. MAMA Race weekends - August 13-14 and September 24-25.
We do not update our website with this information! The track is always prepped and watered throughout the day.įollow us on our Facebook page (southforkmx) or Instagram (sfmx) for the latest schedule. We sometimes modify our schedule to adjust for extreme heat, rain, or freezing temps. We do not split practices nor run a small bike class during our regularly scheduled times.
Weather permitting, generally open weekends from 10am-4pm and Wednesdays from 3:30-8:30 for 85cc 2-stroke and larger bikes only.