The History of Tibbs Run Reservoir
Tibbs Run played a role in getting clean water to the City of Morgantown beginning in the late 1800s. Construction on the Tibbs Run Reservoir was completed in 1912 and it supplied clean water to Monongalia County residents until 1969. The reservoir was drained in 1980, and the property was leased to the West Virginia Botanic Garden in 1999. There is still visible evidence of the waterworks around the property.
Former WVBG Board Member Barb Howe and colleague Michael Caplinger wrote an extensive article on the history of the reservoir in 2010, which was condensed into the following brochure.
Interpretive History Trail
Learn about the history of our site, and its role in providing water to the visitors of Morgantown, through interpretive signage along the Reservoir Loop Trail, installed in 2013 as part of the centennial celebration of the opening of Tibbs Run Reservoir.