The southern part of the Pennsylvania Avenue district was flooded many times in the last three decades of the 19th century . Major floods occurred in October 1870 ( during which Chain Bridge was destroyed ) , February 1881 , November 1887 , and June 1889 ( the same storm which caused the Johnstown Flood ) . Floodwaters were high enough that rowboats were used on the avenue , and horse-drawn streetcars saw water reach the bottom of the trams
Johnstown Flood
Johnstown Flood
Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site