WaPo 1889: "Washington's new reservoir: will it some day cause a disaster like that of Johnstown?"

See this Washington Post article from 1889 regarding DC's new reservoir -- the McMillan Reservoir.

In June, 1889, following a heavy rain and flooding in the Washington area, a reporter for The Washington Post was told that the new reservoir was strong, and was not located where it would receive drainage, therefore, "there is no danger of the Johnstown disaster repeating in this city".

(1889, Jun 03). The Washington Post