Flood of 1870

In the fall of 1870, a massive flood engulfed parts of Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland. The flood of September 28-30, 1870, known as The Great Virginia Flood of 1870, was one of the earliest floods in the history of Charlottesville and the Shenandoah Valley where written accounts are widely available.

Late Wednesday afternoon, September 28, 1870, rain began to fall near Charlottesville - marking the end of a season of drought. All Wednesday night and Thursday the rain fell at an alarming rate. It quickly turned into a downpour as it moved west and then north through the Shenandoah Valley. The James, Shenandoah and Potomac Rivers rose, and flooding washed out fields, farms and entire towns. The impact was immense in terms of destruction, casualties and depth of water. The only warning that Richmond, downriver from the worst of the storm, had of the wall of water bearing down on it was a telegram.

Hydraulic Mills

Hydraulic Mills was a thriving village located in Albemarle County at the juncture of Ivy Creek and the South Fork of the Rivanna just north of River View Farm. The devastating flood carried off the lumber and grist mills and all the structures at nearby Rio Mills. While both mills and villages were soon rebuilt, The Great Virginia Flood of 1870 ended river navigation in Albemarle County forever.