REXBURG—Mayor Jerry Merrill of Rexburg reflected on the disaster of the Teton Dam and how it has shaped Rexburg community ever since. Flood 50 is a weeklong celebration to remember the flood and the rebuilding that followed afterward.
“We're not so much celebrating the Teton Dam disaster as we are what happened afterwards. You know the resilience of the people here, the community, how well they started the rebuilding process and the cleaning up process,” Mayor Merrill said.
Mayor Merrill grew up in Moreland, Idaho just outside of Blackfoot. He was 19 years old, days away from going on his mission with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints when the dam broke. He helped fill up sandbags to put around houses in his town. He saw the grain in the field slowly disappear as the water rose.
“It was just so weird because [the flood water] didn't come in a big rush, but you just couldn't stop it,” Mayor Merrill said.
It was not until he started his mission that he realized the devastating impact on Rexburg from a LIFE magazine.
Considering the disaster over the years, conversation has sparked about whether the dam should be rebuilt. Mayor Merrill believes there is an even greater need today. Controlling the Teton River flow to allow for flood control, irrigation, power generation, water storage and recreation.
Some in the community are worried about the potential risks, especially when looking at the disaster of Teton Dam.
“I believe with the new technologies that they have and the things that they learned from the last time that they can rebuild it safely and we can have those things that we need a dam for,” Mayor Merrill said.
To build a dam, it would require approval from Congress. The mayor has been talking to local legislators and congressional people. Mayor Merrill said there is potential for it to become reality one day.
Some of the week’s events include bus tours about the flood, a river float, opening of flood museum, downtown walking tours, a motorcycle rally, a marathon and the Celebration of Service in the BYU-Idaho Center.
Mayor Merrill hopes at the weeklong commemoration people really take the time to learn the history of the Teton Dam disaster and feel the appreciation the community has for those who came to serve in the area’s time of need.
To learn more, go to TetonFlood50.org.