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The Great Flood of 1937
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In Clarksville from January 1 through January 26 approximately 21.24 inches of rain fell upon the city. Townspeople gathered on the banks of the Cumberland River near the L & N Train trestle and watched as the river rose steadily on the gauge placed on the railroad stone support. On January 18, 1937 after nearly three weeks of rainfall, the Cumberland River crested over the banks and on the 25th of January reached its highest ever recorded, 65.5 feet, 19.6 feet above flood stage. On Front Street, private homes and businesses were submerged under floodwaters and the Clarksville Water Works had to shut down. The City could not produce fresh drinking water and Health Officials posted warnings over the city as to the importance of boiling the water. This was the worst flood recorded in Clarksville's history. The idea for forming Kentucky Lake was born after this flood struck the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys.
We thank Randy Rubel for contributing this history and photos. 