The 1913 Flood & Innovation Trail

Explore the disaster that reshaped a region—and the system that has protected it for over a century.

In March 1913, Southwest Ohio experienced one of the most devastating natural disasters in its history—the Great Flood of 1913. Entire communities were underwater. Lives were lost. Infrastructure failed.

From that moment came a bold, region-wide solution: the creation of the Miami Conservancy District and a flood protection system that has safeguarded the Great Miami River Watershed for more than 100 years.

Today, you can experience that story firsthand.

As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we’re also reflecting on the moments that shaped our communities.

In Ohio, one of those moments was the Great Flood of 1913. And the innovation that continues to protect us today. 

About the Trail

The 1913 Flood & Innovation Trail is a self-guided driving and biking experience connecting historic sites, engineered landscapes, and vibrant riverfront communities.

Along the way, you’ll discover:

• Where floodwaters once stood—and how high they rose

• The system of dams and levees that protect the region today

• How flood protection makes recreation, development, and daily life possible

This is more than a history tour—it’s a story of resilience, innovation, and living with water.

🗺️ Featured Stops Along the Trail

1. Carillon Historical Park - Start your journey where the story begins. Explore exhibits on the 1913 flood and the visionaries who reimagined the region’s future.
2. RiverScape MetroPark - Stand inside the flood protection system. This vibrant riverfront park exists because of the levees and flood control infrastructure that surround it.
3. Huffman Dam - One of five dry dams designed to hold back floodwaters when it matters most. Most days, it’s quiet—by design.
4. Taylorsville Dam - Protecting the Great Miami River, this site showcases how flood protection and recreation can coexist.
5. Englewood Dam - The largest dam in the system, holding back massive volumes of water during major storm events.
6. Germantown Dam - A powerful example of how agricultural land and flood storage work together across the watershed.
7. Lockington Dam - The northernmost dam in the system, connecting flood protection to the region’s earlier canal history
8. Miamisburg Riverfront Park - Once devastated by floodwaters, now a thriving community space—made possible by flood protection.
9. Lock 9 Park - Explore remnants of the Miami & Erie Canal and see how water infrastructure has shaped the region for generations.
10. Marcum Park - Discover the floodwalls, gates, and levees that quietly protect the region’s largest urban center.
    
    

🚗 Plan Your Visit

Start anywhere along the trail

Travel by car, bike, or foot

Combine stops for a half-day or full-day experience

Explore nearby communities, restaurants, and riverfront parks along the way

💡 Why It Matters

The flood protection system you see along this trail has prevented billions of dollars in damage and protected countless lives.

But its success creates a challenge:
When it works, you don’t notice it.

This trail makes the invisible visible—connecting the past to the present and helping ensure the system is understood, valued, and maintained for generations to come.

🧭 Start Exploring

Experience the places, stories, and infrastructure that define the Great Miami River Watershed—and see how one of the nation’s most significant flood protection systems continues to shape life in Southwest Ohio.