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Teton Dam Disaster letters and interviews

 Collection
Identifier: UUS_FOLK COLL 27

Scope and Contents

The letters are from victims of the Teton Dam flood and from volunteers or family members associated with the flood, solicited as research for the book, That Day in June, edited by Janet Thomas, et al. (1977). The interviews are of adults who experienced the disaster as children, and were conducted in 1991 by Anne F. Hatch, as part of her graduate research and Plan B thesis, "Some Dam Funny Stories."

The contents of each box is listed by folder. Each folder lists the name of the informant, location of residence, gender, and status. There are seven (7) interviews contained within six (6) tapes, and an accompanying transcription/catalog for most interviews. The informants are listed alphabetically by last name. Listed first in the finding aid are the informants who contributed letters (Boxes 1-3). Next is the list of informants interviewed by Anne Hatch in 1991, the contents of which are in boxes 4 and 5.

Dates

  • Creation: 1976-1991

Language of Materials

Collection materials are in English.

Restrictions

Open to public research. To access the collection a patron must have the following information: collection number, series number, sub-series number, if applicable, box number and folder number (or image number).

Copyright

It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record, the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Utah State University Libraries, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of copyright.

Permission to publish material from the Teton Dam Disaster letters and interviews must be obtained from the Curator of the Fife Folklore Archives and/or the Special Collections Department Head.

Historical Note

Teton Dam was located in Fremont County, Idaho, in the Teton River Canyon above Wilford. It had just been completed in 1976. On June 5, 1976, the earthen dam failed and an estimated 80 billion gallons of water swept downriver. The flood of water swept through Wilford, Sugar City, and Rexburg. Ricks College in Rexburg was spared for the most part, as it is located on a hill. Many residents of Rexburg and Sugar City spent the rest of the summer in Ricks College dorms. Further down the Snake River Valley, Idaho Falls had almost two days to get ready for the water. Trenches were dug around the end of the Broadway Bridge, dynamite was used to blast log jams that pushed against the bridge, and sand bags were piled along the riverfront. By the time the water reached Blackfoot, the National Guard had been called in to help. Out in the Pingree area, ditches filled with water, but no damage was done. The American Falls Dam was old and stood between the flood waters and the rest of the Snake River Plain, so officials began releasing water immediately. In the end the American Falls Dam held, and the flood was over. Cleanup would take the rest of the summer. Thousands of volunteers from the region, especially Utah, came in on buses to help.

Extent

1.75 Linear Feet (5 boxes)

Abstract

197 folders of letters (originals and copies), and seven interviews on tapes, with an accompanying transcription/catalog for most interviews. The letters are originals and copies of originals from victims of the Teton Dam disaster and from volunteers or family members associated with the flood, solicited as research for the book, That Day in June, edited by Janet Thomas, et al. (published 1977). The taped interviews are of adults who experienced the disaster as children, conducted in 1991 by Anne F. Hatch for her graduate research and Plan B thesis, "Some dam funny stories."

Arrangement

Contributed letters and interview transcripts are listed alphabetically by informant/narrator's last name.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

This is a collection of letters and interviews by individuals who experienced the Teton Dam disaster of June 5, 1976, in southeastern Idaho. The letters are originals and copies of originals from victims of the flood and from volunteers or family relatives associated with the flood, solicited as research for the book, That Day in June, edited by Janet Thomas, et al. The interviews are of folks who experienced the disaster as children, and were interviewed about the event as adults. The interviews were conducted in 1991 by Anne F. Hatch, as part of her graduate research and related to her Plan B "Some Dam Funny Stories."

Processing Information

Collection processed by Anne F. Hatch. Finding aid created by Susan Gross, May 2004; updated by Randy Williams, March 2012, Heather Housley, May 2025.

Title
Guide to the Teton Dam Disaster letters and interviews1976-1991
Author
Finding aid created by Susan Gross, May 2004.
Date
©2008
Description rules
Finding Aid Based On Dacs Describing Archives: A Content Standard, 2nd Edition)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding guide is in English in Latin script.
Sponsor
Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, 2007-2008

Revision Statements

  • 2009: Template information was updated to reflect Archives West best practice guidelines.
  • 2025: Imported xml file to create AS record, make minor corrections

Repository Details

Part of the Utah State University, Merrill-Cazier Library, Special Collections & Archives Repository

Contact:
Merrill-Cazier Library
Utah State University
3000 Old Main Hill
Logan Utah 84322-3000 United States
435 797-8248
435 797-2880 (Fax)