When the temporary wooden bridge spanning the Schuylkill at Matsonford was smashed and swept down stream by the battering of hugh ice cakes and flood waters in the later winter of 1920, vehicular and pedestrian travel was stymied between Conshohocken and West Conshohocken for several days. Many of the townsfolk's of both Conshohocken Boroughs braved the icy crossing in row boats, and traffic was detoured to the bridges of Norristown and Manayunk.
Flood Waters of 1972
In June of 1972 Hurricane Agnes left her imprint by the rising water of the Schuylkill River and over flowing its banks. The river was at its highest level ever recorded in the Conshohocken area. The highest mark before the floods of 1972 was marked on a post of the Old Mill at Spring Mill at the foot of North Lane in 1869. Information on water height was supplied by Carl Frankenfield who worked at the Mill during his family's proprietorship of more than 80 years.
The Schuylkill River and West Conshohocken has been the brunt of many tropical storms and hurricanes, but the one most ever present in our minds is the latest hurricane, Floyd, that hit the Philadelphia area and surrounding suburbs on Thursday, September 16, 1999. With the river overflowing, and rain accumulating to over 10 inches, many passengers were stranded on the R-6 Norristown Railroad Line passing through Conshohocken as the train became submerged in water. Many of us won't forget the rescues and lifesaving efforts of our Fire Department, Police Department and Streets Department throughout this natural disaster.