Where is teton dam

This oversight was exacerbated by the lack of communication between the design and construction engineers about the proper preparation of the dam foundation. As a result, not only was the foundation treated inadequately, but that treatment was also inconsistent. Although a key trench was constructed in an attempt to prevent seepage through the pervious embankment, the slush grouting at the key trench was insufficient. In addition, slush grouting was inexplicably stopped once El.

Working together or alone, either of these foundation design deficiencies would have provided optimal conditions for internal erosion of the core. Construction delays caused deviation from the original schedule but the first filling of the reservoir was not postponed. Therefore, when the unexpectedly rapid filling of the reservoir occurred, there was no operable low level outlet works for dewatering the reservoir.

Although investigations of the incident proved that failure of the dam due to improperly treated foundation materials was most likely inevitable, the lack of a proper reservoir low level outlet works contributed to the severity of the failure and reservoir release. Had the first filling been managed using a low level outlet works, the volume of water suddenly released from behind the Teton dam could have been reduced.

Twenty-four hour monitoring of the dam and reservoir during its first filling may have also contributed to the lessening of downstream consequences. Other factors related to the failure of the dam included a lack of external review of the project plans and specifications that may have discovered some of the design deficiencies. Furthermore, the dam was not designed with any type of secondary defenses against seepage and relied fully on the grout curtain and key trench.

Avoiding Disaster: Assuring Warning Compliance. Report to U. Washington D. Government Printing Office. Videos Part 1 of an instructional video by Dr.

Part 2 of an instructional video by Dr. Lessons Learned All dams need an operable means of drawing down the reservoir. Learn More. Case Study:. Type : Earthfill Height : ft. It soon filled the canyon and swallowed the snake river plain.

The failure of the dam resulted in the death of 11 people and over 13, livestock. Now, many people go the dam site to see what could have caused so much damage. Whereas, others go to explore the many caves and tunnels that run throughout the dam. On Highway 33, located 3 miles east of Newdale, a sign indicates the turn to the dam site.

The viewing area is 1. At around , the gaping hole grew to the size of a swimming While still inspecting leaks, a month later, monitoring was showing that the dam was filling at a rate times faster than anticipated.

The wall of water rushed down the canyon, heading straight for the communities of Wilford, Newdale, Teton, Sugar City and Rexburg. He went live recounting the disintegration of the dam as it happen right in front of him. As he watched the northern edge collapse, he issued a strong and ominous warning — one that he would repeat dozens of times over the next hour.

The reservoir took about six hours to fully empty, spilling about 80 billion gallons of water into eastern Idaho. Evacuation orders went out across valley shortly before the dam collapsed.

It only took about 20 minutes for the water to reach populated areas, but that was enough time for most people. Get out! It was really weird. It was like everybody was in a dream-type thing. The Idaho Transportation Department reports some 35, people were evacuated across the valley that day. Many of them ended up at Ricks College now Brigham Young University-Idaho , which became a haven for the displaced during and after the flood.

The wall of water first hit Wilford, a tiny community about three miles wide. Most of people got out in time, but nearly every home and business in the community was obliterated and carried downstream. As the flood expanded, more than 13, livestock were said to have perished and were carried along with the water, according to news reports following the flood. Railways also were completely destroyed. Sugar City and Teton saw damage similar to Wilford. Local newspapers reported that more than homes were destroyed in those small communities.