The dam failed in the early morning of July 20 after period of heavy rain, causing 101 million US gallons (380,000 m3) of water to flood downstream Tanneryville, killing 40 people.

Water was transferred from the reservoir through an 18,000-foot 16-inch cast iron pipe to Main and Market Streets in the old Johnstown Borough.

[7][8] Concerns about the dam had been previously brought to the attention of Greater Johnstown Water Authority officials by various engineering consultants, though their recommendations were repeatedly ignored.

Its deficiencies were recognized and reports prepared for modification, but for various reasons, over a period of one-and-a-half decades, remedial steps or new construction was not taken.

Though information was revealed that all named litigants could have taken precautions to prevent the dam's failure, these lawsuits were later settled out of court in 1989 for an undisclosed amount.

In 1990, the land below, and including, the site of the dam was designated the "Laurel Run Park" by West Taylor Township.

Today, the exact site of the dam is now a grassy field scattered with planted trees and a park bench near the creek.