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Embankment Dam Failure Analysis (FEMA 541) - Association of ...

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<strong>Dam</strong> name: Teton <strong>Dam</strong><br />

Location: near Wilford, Idaho<br />

<strong>Dam</strong> Characteristics:<br />

<strong>Dam</strong> type: earthf ill<br />

<strong>Dam</strong> height: 305 feet (275 depth at failure)<br />

<strong>Dam</strong> crest length: feet<br />

Reservoir volume: 250,000 acre-feet released<br />

Spillway: water never reached spillway<br />

History <strong>of</strong> <strong>Dam</strong>:<br />

Purpose: irrigation<br />

<strong>Dam</strong> completed: under final construction/first filling<br />

<strong>Dam</strong> failed: Saturday June 5, 1976 at 11:57 a.m.; first filling<br />

<strong>Failure</strong> cause: Piping <strong>of</strong> dam core in foundation key trench.<br />

Details on Detection <strong>of</strong> <strong>Failure</strong>/Deciding to warn:<br />

12:30 am and 7am: dam unattended.<br />

7am to 8am: Survey crew discovers turbid leakage<br />

9:30 am: PCE considers alerting residents but decides emergency situation is not imminent and<br />

is concerned about causing panic.<br />

10 am: larger leak, flowing turbid water<br />

10:30 to 10:45: PCE notifies sheriff’s <strong>of</strong>fices and advises them to alert citizens.<br />

Details on dissemination <strong>of</strong> warnings and technologies used:<br />

police, radio, television, telephone, neighbor word <strong>of</strong> mouth. (Included live commercial radio<br />

broadcasts from reporters in aircraft and at Teton <strong>Dam</strong>)<br />

Details on response to the warning:<br />

Why were there 800 injured?<br />

Description <strong>of</strong> flooding resulting from dam failure:<br />

Over 3,700 houses destroyed or damaged. 150 to 200 sq. mi. flooded<br />

The losses included:<br />

11 fatalities (6 from drowning, 3 heart failure, 1 accidental gun shot and 1 suicide) with about<br />

25,000 people at risk. 800 injuries. <strong>Dam</strong>age total <strong>of</strong> $400 million from USGS Open File Report<br />

77-765.<br />

Photos:<br />

Sugar City 12 mi. 1pm 15 ft depth (0 dead)<br />

Rexburg 15 mi. 1:40pm 6 to 8 ft. (2 deaths)<br />

Prepared by Wayne Graham

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