The Teton Dam disaster was connected to more history than you ever imagined

Fifty years after the collapse of the Teton Dam, a new book shows how this iconic moment in eastern Idaho is connected to other historic events.Nathaniel Gee, author of “Faith and Fortitude: How Faith, Politics and Power Shaped the Teton Dam Disaster,” returns to the podcast for a fascinating discussion.RELATED | Remembering the Teton Dam collapse: Inside the failure and fight to rebuildIn this episode of “It’s Worth Mentioning,” Gee kicks off the conversation by discussing the timing of the disaster. Just before noon on June 5, 1976, the dam failed, releasing 80 billion gallons of water into eastern Idaho. Communities from Rexburg to Blackfoot were impacted; 11 people were killed, along with 13,000 head of livestock. Many were made homeless by the disaster, and tens of thousands of acres of land were destroyed or heavily damaged. The estimated cost of the damage was around $2 billion — around $11 billion in today’s dollars.The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation — which built the dam — spent the next 11 years compensating those who were affected. The total amount was around $400 million — less than the estimated cost.Gee says that if the flood had happened 24 hours earlier, he wouldn’t have been here to write the book.He weaves a tale that begins with the settlement of the West, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pioneers’ migration to the Salt Lake Valley. In those early days, the church practiced polygamy, which Gee says has a connection to the construction of the Teton Dam.On Sept. 11, 1857, dozens of church members took part in the massacre of 120 immigrants in southern Utah traveling by wagon train, according to the church’s website. The incident — which is also tied to the Teton Dam — took place in a valley called Mountain Meadows and is known today as the Mountain Meadows Massacre.The historical connections will astound you!RELATED | Caught in history: The untold story behind an iconic Teton Dam photoAlthough we’ve covered the Teton Dam disaster before, this is an angle you’ve never heard, and you don’t want to miss it! To learn more, get a copy of the book here.RELATED | Voices from the flood: Survivors reflect on the Teton Dam collapseWatch previous episodes of “It’s Worth Mentioning” here. Check out the show on Facebook. If you have a tip, guest idea, or comment, email rett@eastidahonews.com.