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Home My WebLink AboutFLOOD 50 presentation FLOOD 50: Remembering the Teton Dam FloodRebuilding CommunityJune 1976 / June 2026 vision June 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Teton Dam flood in Southeastern Idaho. As neighbors and friends, we will gather to remember the “dam that broke, and built a community.” The intent of this commemorative event is not only to reminisce the many life-changing experiences of the disaster and its long-lasting impact, but also to reconnect as a community and work together to address current needs. While showing empathy to survivors and acknowledging the selfless service of volunteers, our aim is to build and inspire a new generation with a message of unity and resilience— focusing on the strength of service and the power of working together. FLOOD FACTS ● The plan was to fill the dam at a rate of one foot per day, but heavy runoff in the spring increased the rate to 4 feet per day. ● The Bureau of Reclamation, who oversaw the building of the dam, had never lost a dam in its 74 years of operation. ● The first leak was discovered at 7:45 AM on Saturday, June 5, 1976, with the first hole appearing at 10:30 AM. ● The Teton Dam was constructed from February 1972- November 1975. ● It was an earthen dam—made of mostly dirt, rock, and other natural materials. ● The dam’s primary purpose was irrigation— to water farmer’s crops and provide water throughout the area. ● The dam itself was 305 feet high. ● Morrison-Knudsen of Boise was contracted to build the dam. They had built over 100 successful dams prior to the building of the Teton Dam. FLOOD FACTS ● It only took about 15 minutes for the waters to reach Wilford, where most of the casualties occurred. ● The waters reached Sugar City about 1:00 pm, and Rexburg near 2:30 PM. ● Depending on location, walls of water were anywhere from 10-30 feet high ● 90% of people in these areas lost 90% of their property. ● An evacuation notice was broadcast on the radio, local police officers alerted citizens, and neighbors spread the word via word-of-mouth and telephone calls. ● Many people didn’t believe the dam would collapse or create too much damage, and thus they did not evacuate right away or stayed behind to watch the water come in. ● The dam officially breached at 11:57 AM. ● Approximately 80 billion gallons of water were released from the dam, as it was almost at capacity at the time of breakage. The water on the south side of the dam rose to nearly 80 feet high. FLOOD FACTS ● Blackfoot and Firth were severely hit, with up to 4 feet of water in some places. ● The American Falls Dam was able to contain the water, almost 100 miles from where the dam broke ● The flood lasted three days. ● 11 people died - 6 from drownings, and 5 from other related issues ● Most people were able to evacuate and seek refuge at Ricks College in Rexburg. ● Ricks College housed people in the then-empty dorms and fed the survivors of the flood 386,000 meals. ● Idaho Falls was hit Sunday evening, with the falls of “Idaho Falls” completely disappearing. They were able to save their town by sandbagging along the river and saved the Broadway bridge by digging a trench along the west side to divert the flow of water. FLOOD FACTS ● Congress passed a bill of $200 million to help the victims of the flood, along with providing HUD houses rent-free for a year. ● Most of the towns were rebuilt within a year, thanks to government aid and countless volunteers ● The dam has never been rebuilt. However, today you can visit the site and view what remains of the dam. ● The break of the Teton Dam is largely responsible of the creation of the Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams (SEED) program, which keeps dams safe and up-to-date to this day. Information provided by Museum of Rexburg: Home of the Teton Flood Exhibit commemorative documentary community partners COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES City of Rexburg Museum of Rexburg Cultural Arts Department Recreation Department Historic Preservation Commission Rexburg Area Chamber of Commerce Sugar City Wilford St. Anthony Fremont County Madison County BYU-Idaho CERT together we Remember Serve Connect Downtown Walking Tours Rexburg, Sugar City Bus Tours Rexburg Sugar City Teton Dam Site Timeline/Flood line Teton Dam Site Ribbon Cutting Site Improvements Flood our community with history Listening Group Gatherings Devotional Journaling / Recording Sessions Exhibits and Displays Flood our community with memories Motorcycle Rally Teton Dam to American Falls Dam Golf Tournament Party in the Park Teton Dam Marathon River Float Flood our community with fun Public Art Riverwalk Flood Mud Reimagined Monument to Volunteers Tabernacle Gardens Romance Theater Flood Films Theater Production Photo Exhibit Community Mural Flood our community with creativity Just Add Water Discovery Exhibit Flood our community with inspiration Preparedness Fair Kirby Heyborne Host of Making Good Community Service #flood50service Flood our community with service schedule of events JUNE 6 Service Downtown Walking Tours Flood Exhibit Teton Dam Marathon Motorcycle Rally Park Events Bus Tours Films Higher Ground production JUNE 7 Devotional MAY 30-31 Flood of Memories listening and journaling groups JUNE 1-3 Service Downtown Walking Tours Flood Exhibit JUNE 4 Service Downtown Walking Tours Flood Exhibit Golf Tournament River Float Films Higher Ground production JUNE 5 Service Downtown Walking Tours Flood Exhibit River Float VIP Teton Dam site program Bus Tours Flood of Memories Book Release Films Higher Ground production thank you Jed Platt Director, Rexburg Cultural Arts 208.821.0258 arts@rexburg.org Alisha Tietjen Museum Curator, Museum of Rexburg museum@rexburg.org FLOOD 50 Committee