Construction of Teton Dam began in 1972. The dam’s reservoir, on eastern Idaho's Teton River, filled to the brim in the spring of 1976, much faster than expected. On June 5, 1976, the dam broke, sending 80 billion gallons of water ripping through the towns of Wilford, Sugar City, and Rexburg. Eleven people perished.

Impressions from Governor Cecil Andrus

"The Teton Dam Disaster" by Russ Brown