Aerial View of the Basham Reservoir
This file appears in: Portsmouth’s Basham Hill Reservoir
An aerial view of the Basham Reservoir reveals that it was built in a pronounced diamond shape, rather than a square. The reservoir was 250 feet by 250 feet with 20-foot high side walls. The concrete roof was supported by brick columns spaced about 20 feet apart. The wall collapse occurred in the northern section of the east wall.
This file appears in: Portsmouth’s Basham Hill Reservoir
Portsmouth’s Basham Hill Reservoir
Portsmouth’s first water works plant was built in 1871 on the banks of the Ohio River. It was located in an area that is, today, just outside the floodwall behind Shawnee State University. That original water plant left much to be desired in terms…