On June 5, 1976, the Teton Dam in eastern Idaho collapsed during its very first filling. In a matter of hours, approximately 80 billion gallons of water poured into the Snake River Plain below. The towns of Wilford, Sugar City, and Rexburg were overwhelmed. Over 4,000 homes were damaged or destroyed. Eleven people died. Around 25,000 residents were displaced from their homes. The dam had been built by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. A federal investigation later identified design flaws and geolo