Drought in Texas in the early 1880s lead to growing disputes among ranch and land owners and cattlemen looking for access to grass and water for their stock. Cattlemen begin cutting fences to open access to water and pasture in what became known as the “Texas Fence Cutters Range War.” At least three men are killed in clashes between fence cutters and ranchmen during this period, until agreements are reached.
Chiang Kai-shek orders the destruction of flood-control dikes of the Huayuankou, Henan section of the Huang He (Yellow) River, in order to flood areas threatened by the Japanese army. West of Kaifeng, dikes are destroyed with dynamite, spilling water across the flat plain. Even though the flood destroys part of the invading army and mires its equipment in mud, Wuhan, the headquarters of the Nationalist government is taken by the Japanese in October. Floodwaters cover an area variously estimated as…
Hydroelectric dams routinely bombed as strategic targets during World War II.
Japanese chemical and biological weapons activities reportedly include tests by ‘Unit 731’ against military and civilian targets by lacing water wells and reservoirs with typhoid and other pathogens.
German colonial troops brutally suppress a rebellion by the Herero people of German South-West Africa (modern-day Namibia). General Lothar von Trotha pledges to exterminate the Herero people in what has become known as the Herero and Namaqua Genocide. The Germans drive ethnic Herero and Namaqua populations into the Namib desert leading to massive death from dehydration and starvation; they also reportedly poison desert water wells. Later, the UN estimates that up to 100,000 were killed, or 70% of the Herero…
Recurrent friction and eventual violent conflict over water rights in the vicinity of Tularosa, New Mexico involving villagers, ranchers, and farmers.
General Ulysses S. Grant, during the Civil War campaign against Vicksburg, cut levees in the battle against the Confederates.
Arab forces cut of West Jerusalem’s water supply in first Arab-Israeli war.
North Korea releases flood waves from the Hwachon Dam damaging floating bridges operated by UN troops in the Pukhan Valley. The US Navy then sends planes to destroy the spillway crest gates.
Centralized dams on the Yalu (Amnok) River serving North Korea and China are attacked during Korean War.