Marking the 50th anniversary of the catastrophic collapse of the Teton Dam, dam safety engineer Dr. Nathaniel Gee joined Newstalk 107.9’s Neal Larson and Julie Mason to discuss his new book, “Failure and Fortitude.” In the interview, Gee detailed how a combination of political pressure, unconventional engineering, and poor geology led to one of the most significant engineering failures in United States history.
Gee, who works for the Bureau of Reclamation—an agency whose modern safety programs were heavily influenced by the Teton disaster—highlighted the political maneuvering that fast-tracked the project. According to Gee, former Congressman Ralph Harding prioritized the dam’s authorization in 1964 as a political strategy. Despite warnings about the site’s fractured geology, the project moved forward. To keep the dam financially viable under emerging environmental regulations, engineers utilized an experimental “key trench” design that lacked traditional filtration layers. This decision ultimately allowed water to erode the dam’s core, leading to the breach on June 5, 1976.
The interview also touched on the human element of the tragedy. Gee recounted the harrowing experience of Daryl Griggs and David Benson, who were fishing downstream when the breach occurred. While Benson was the first fatality of the disaster, Griggs survived after being swept into a tree. Despite 25,000 people being displaced by the floodwaters, only 11 lives were lost. Gee attributed this relatively low death toll to the timing of the collapse on a clear Saturday afternoon and the rapid, informal communication networks within the local community.
Regarding the possibility of rebuilding, Gee stated that while modern engineering could safely construct a dam at the site today, the costs would be significant due to the foundation requirements. He emphasized that the subsequent recovery effort was a testament to regional resilience, noting that many residents were initially reluctant to file federal claims for their losses. Gee concluded that the disaster serves as a permanent reminder of the importance of both engineering rigor and community preparedness, noting that while infrastructure can fail, the strength of a community remains a primary defense during a crisis.
