1972 — June 9-10, Downpour/Flash Flood/Dam Failure, Black Hills, Rapid City, SD-236-238

— 238 Drabek, Thomas E. The Human Side of Disaster. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2010, 22.
— 238 OJP DOJ. Community Crisis Response Team Training Manual: 2nd Ed. (Appendix D).
— 238 US DHS. Dams Sector: Estimating Loss of Life for Dam Failure Scenarios. 2011, p. 73.
— 238 Webley and Holmes (USGS). “Top 10 Historic U.S. Floods.” Time. 5-11-2011.
—<237 NWS Forecast Ctr. Pleasant Hill, MO. Historic Flood Events in…Missouri River Basin. -- 237 Ludlum. The American Weather Book. 1982, 81. -- 237 USGS. Summary of Significant Floods in the US, PR, and the VI, 1970-1989. 2008. -- 236 Burt and Stroud. Extreme Weather: A Guide & Record Book. 2004, 132. -- 236 Ludlum. The American Weather Book. 1982, p. 83. -- 214 AP. “450 Persons Still Missing One Week After…” Daily Republic, 6-17-1972, p. 1. -->200 Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). 1982, p.
–>200 History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, June 9, 1972. “Flash Flood…Rapid City.”

Narrative Information

Burt and Stroud: “A stationary thunderstorm lingered over the Box Elder and Rapid Creek watersheds high in the Black Hills some 30 miles northwest of Rapid City. A rain gauge at Nemo recorded 15” of rainfall in just six hours and another gauge near Sheridan Lake picked up 14.5” in five hours. Although Rapid City itself reported only 2-4” of rain, the massive rainfalls upstream caused the Canyon Lake Dam to collapse just as the natural flood crests of all the streams approached Rapid City. A torrent of water 10 feet high swept into the city causing over $100 million in damage. In Rapid City and along the flooding streams of the Black Hills, 236 lives were lost. Worst hit was the town of Keystone, where every single building was destroyed.” (Burt and Stroud. Extreme Weather. 2004, 132.)

DHS: “Canyon Lake Dam was located in the western part of Rapid City, in the Black Hills. The earthfill dam was located in a city park and was used for recreational purposes.

“Canyon Lake Dam, located on Rapid Creek near Rapid City, failed between 10:45 pm and 11:30 pm on Friday, June 9, 1972. The 39-year-old dam failed from overtopping. The peak inflow to the reservoir was approximately 34,500 ft3/s and the peak dam failure outflow was approximately 60,000 ft3/s. The inflow greatly exceeded the 3,200 ft3/s spillway capacity at the dam.

“The dam had a height of about 20 feet and a total volume of about 700 acre-feet was released during the failure. About 10,000 acre-feet passed the dam site during the entire flood sequence. The total drainage area upstream from the dam was 371 square miles; however, only about 51 square miles, located downstream of Reclamation’s Pactola Dam, contributed to the inflow at Canyon Lake.

“The extreme flooding on June 9 covered an area approximately 40 miles long and 20 miles wide along the eastern slopes of the Black Hills, from Sturgis on the north to Hermosa on the south, with Rapid City near the center. A flash flood warning was issued by the National Weather Service at 8 pm The warning did not carry with it a sense of urgency because of the complete lack of knowledge concerning the incredible amount of rain that was falling west of Rapid City. The 10 pm television news wrap-up indicated that the magnitude and seriousness of the flood was not realized at that time. At 10:30 pm., in a simultaneous television and radio broadcast, the mayor of Rapid City urged people in low-lying areas to evacuate. Dam failure warnings were not issued.

“Water started flowing over Canyon Lake Dam at 10 pm (or earlier). Conflicting information is available on when the dam failed, with times ranging from 10:45 pm to 11:30 pm The flood in Rapid City covered an area up to one-half mile wide.

“The Black Hills Flood (including flooding in areas not impacted by dam failure) caused approximately 238 fatalities and 3,000 injuries. There were approximately 35 fatalities in the 3 miles upstream of Canyon Lake Dam and 36 fatalities on streams other than Rapid Creek. There were approximately 165 fatalities on Rapid Creek downstream of Canyon Lake Dam. A major flood would have occurred on Rapid Creek through Rapid City even if Canyon Lake Dam had not failed. No one will ever know with certainty how many additional lives were lost as a result of the dam failure. The dam was rebuilt and the lake and surrounding area is a Rapid City municipal park.” (US DHS. “Canyon Lake Dam, South Dakota – Failed in June 1972,” pp. 72-73 in: Dams Sector: Estimating Loss of Life for Dam Failure Scenarios. Sep 2011.)

History.com: “A flash flood in Rapid City, South Dakota, kills more than 200 people on this day in 1972. This flood demonstrated the danger of building homes and businesses in a floodplain region.

“The native Sioux called the river Minnelusa when European settlers overtook the Black Hills region in 1876 as part of one of the last gold rushes in North American history. The settlers built the town of Rapid City well south of the floodplain and for 75 years there were few flooding problems for the residents.

“In 1952, the Pactola Dam was built 10 miles from the city. The new dam controlled the floods, setting off a boom in development of the floodplain area. Eventually, the Rapid City area became home to 50,000 people.

“In the spring of 1972, torrential rains battered the Black Hills. Warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico collided with a Canadian cold front, causing 15 inches of rain to come down in only six hours. The spillway for the Pactola Dam got clogged with debris during the storm, leading to the total collapse of the dam and a devastating wave of water crushed most of the nearby buildings and swept away 238 people. Residents, most of whom were not insured for flood damage, suffered $160 million in damages.

“In the wake of this tragedy, it was decided that the floodplain should no longer be used as a residential area. It is now a golf course and a park with several ponds.” (History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, June 9, 1972. “Flash Flood Hits Rapid City.”)

Ludlum: “In terms of both lives lost and damage inflicted, the Rapid City Flood on June 9-10, 1972, ranks as the worst natural disaster in the history of South Dakota. Excessive rains of 15 in…in five hours resulted when a heavy thunderstorm cells stalled to the west and northwest of Rapid City while moist airstreams from a tropical air mass over the Great Plains continued to feed humid air into the storm cells. Much of the intense precipitation fell over the watershed of Rapid Creek, covering less than 100 sq. mi…and rushed downstream through a narrow canyon into the city.

“Rapid Creek normally passes smoothly and quietly through Canyon Lake, close to downtown Rapid City. But the flood surge brought much debris downstream, which clogged the spillway of Canyon Lake Dam, causing the reservoir pool to rise 12 ft…higher than normal and raise the volume of compounded water to about five times the usual. The dam’s failure at 10:45 p.m. released the mass of water and debris to rush downstream, sweeping the residential areas on each side before pouring into the main streets of the downtown section. The arrival of the main flood crest soon after the dam failure contributed to the exceedingly high water marks attained at 12:15 a.m. in the city. The flood reached 6.5 ft…above the bank-full stage. This huge excess poured into the business district.

“In two short hours all the damage was done in Rapid City. Two hundred thirty-six people died, and property damage mounted to over $100 million as a result of the thunderstorm cell’s stalling in the hills above the city.” (Ludlum. The American Weather Book. 1982, 83.)

USGS, 2007: “On June 9-10, 1972, extremely heavy rains over the eastern Black Hills of South Dakota produced record floods on Rapid Creek and other streams in the area. Nearly 15 inches of rain fell in about 6 hours near Nemo, and more than 10 inches of rain fell over an area of 60 square miles. According to the Red Cross, the resulting floods left 238 people dead and 3,057 people injured. In addition to the human tragedy, total damage was estimated in excess of $160 million (about $664 million in 2002 dollars), which included 1,335 homes and 5,000 automobiles that were destroyed. Runoff from this storm produced record floods (highest peak flows recorded) along Battle, Spring, Rapid, and Boxelder Creeks. Smaller floods also occurred along Elk Creek and Bear Butte Creek.” (USGS. The 1972 Black Hills-Rapid City Flood Revisited (webpage). USGS, South Dakota Water Science Center. 7-23-2007 update.

USGS, 2008: “The most devastating local flood in South Dakota’s history occurred in Rapid City, South Dakota, on June 10, 1972. An almost stationary group of thunderstorms formed over the eastern Black Hills and produced rainfall amounts of 15 in. in 6 hours northwest of Rapid City (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1972 ). Rapid Creek at Rapid City (station 06414000…), had a maximum discharge of 50,000 ft³/s, which was more than seven times greater than the discharge having a 100-year recurrence interval. The flood resulted in 237 deaths and caused $160 million in damages (Paulson and others, 1991 ).” (USGS. Summary of Significant Floods in the US, PR, and the VI, 1970-1989. 2008.)

Newspapers

June 10: “BULLETIN. Sheriff’s officers in Rapid City now say 55 known dead and 300 missing.

“Rapid City, S.D. (AP) – Flood, explosions and fires triggered by torrential rain overnight left at least 36 persons dead in and around Rapid City, The Pennington County sheriff’s office reported today. Authorities at the Pennington County sheriff’s office report hundreds of campers in the Black Hills may be lost in the flood and it could be weeks, perhaps months, before the final toll is realized. Deputy sheriff Dale Bruce said the sheriff’s office is receiving reports of deaths continuously. He said the 36 deaths were confirmed, and added that he expected the toll to climb much higher.

“Six to 10 inches of rain hit the east slopes of the Black Hills during the night, pouring water into Rapid City, flooding much of the city and leaving hundreds homeless.

“The Black Hills is a popular resort area in southwestern South Dakota. Rapid City is the area’s largest city….

“Bridges were swamped throughout the Rapid City area and pedestrian traffic was banned in some areas because of fallen power lines. Mayor Donald Barnett ordered police to arrest sightseers. Interstate 90 was closed both north and east of Rapid City.

“Reports indicated that perhaps the worst hit area was an area known as Rimrock Highway or South Dakota 40 which shares its valley with the flooded Rapid Creek. Rapid Creek, Elk Creek and Boulder Creek to Sturgis were reported to have been turned into major rivers.

“Homes and mobile homes were scattered and splintered in the flooded areas, bridges ere out and cars strewn about streets and parks.

“Parts of Rapid City were described as a lowland flood plain. A dam was washed out at Canyon Lake Park, turning the lake into one wide river. Cars, rubble and probably bodies were scattered about the edges of what was once Canyon Lake.

“Residents were urged not to use any water from the city’s system because the water plant had been flooded and contamination was feared.

“Sturgis, a town 45 miles northeast of Rapid City, was inundated by the downpour. The Meade County sheriff’s office reported six inches of rain fell in the area.

“Bruce said the confusion which plagued the city at dawn prevented law enforcement authorities from confirming the death reports. ‘We’ve lost people, but we don’t know how many,’ said Sheriff Glen Best. ‘I’m afraid it could be quite a few.’

“National guardsmen, law enforcement officers and all available emergency crews moved into the western South Dakota city of 43,000 at dawn to lend assistance. ‘It must be like in a war zone,’ said Harold Higgins, a Rapid City Journal writer and photographer who rode with fire rescue units during the night. ‘There are fires all over the place and nothing can be done about it, because the city has been cut in half by the flooding Rapid Creek,’ added Higgins. Exploding gas lines triggered fires which resulted in injuries for a number of persons. City officials ordered the main gas line shut off. ‘We went out to one home to get the body of a woman in a flooded basement, but we couldn’t even reach her,’ said Higgins. ‘We’ll have to wait until the water goes down or the basement is pumped.’

“Strong current in the flood water prevented people in boats from serving as rescue units. Cars reportedly were piled atop each other.

“Best said water was running five to seven feet deep in parts of Rapid City. Power lines were down and gas lines broken, he said. Numerous fires were reported, but fire fighting equipment was unable to get to them. ‘We’ve had a devastating flood and torrential rain,’ Best said. ‘The flood came down the east slopes of the Black hills, wiping out roads, houses, trailer houses and power lines.’ He said one of the persons believed dead was a state Highway Patrolman. ‘His car was swept into a creek,’ Best said. ‘He got out, but the last anyone saw was him going down the creek after the car.’ Best said he believed the damage was equally serious to the north and south of Rapid City, but said he couldn’t determine how serious because radio and telephone contact were almost completely knocked out. He said the rain began in Rapid City about 6 p.m. Friday [June 9] and grew increasingly stronger, becoming a downpour by midnight.

“The Black Hills are on the western edge of South Dakota. Rapid City has a population of about 43,000.

“Commercial radio stations went off the air at 2 a.m., when power failed. About four hours later a Civil Defense band, authorized by the governor and the Federal Communications Commission, began carrying emergency instructions to city residents. The band was used the first hour to broadcast the names of people who were safe in emergency shelters set up at the county court house and at Stevens High School….

“Before commercial stations left the air, residents along the drainage area of Rapid Creek, which meanders through a residential area in the western part of town, were told to get to higher ground.

“Jim Kuehn, executive editor of the Rapid City Daily Journal, said he went to a grocery store about 2 a.m. and found people there who said they had fled their homes when flooding of the dwellings began. But they knew of neighbors, some said, who had chosen not to evacuate.” (AP. “Torrential Rain Floods Rapid City Area; Cause Fires, Explosions; 55 Dead.” Daily Republic, Mitchell, SD, 6-10-1972, p. 1.)

June 11: “Rapid City (AP) – Flash floods, touched off by torrential rains in the Black Hills, left 150 persons dead and 500 missing Saturday [June 10], victims of walls of water that swept through Rapid City and the surrounding area during the night. The death count was set by Civil Defense officials and police who imposed a 9 p.m. curfew for all but emergency personnel to prevent looting and keep curiosity seekers out of the disaster area. Authorities said they expected the death toll to climb even higher.

“Once-in-a-century weather conditions caused the floods that battered houses, uprooted trees and swept away cars, mobile homes and some bridges. Landslides and explosions added to the devastation; gas lines ruptured and triggered fires; electricity was cut off temporarily, and communications were spotty.

“Bodies continued to be uncovered as the flood – caused by up to 10 inches of rain in only a few hours – subsided. The victims were found in trees, cars and along the edges of ditches.

“The Red Cross in Minneapolis said 600 cots and blankets were being flown into the western South Dakota region, declared a disaster area by President Nixon. A chain of supermarkets donated four carloads of perishable foods for distribution at the Red Cross centers in Rapid City. A Red Cross spokesman said 900 persons had been treated at hospitals in Rapid City and 2,000 persons were being served supper at the various shelters in this summer resort city of 43,000. Damage was estimated in the millions.

“The rains started at about 6 p.m. Friday night [June 9]. By 10:30 p.m., the flood waters began to rise and ran over into Canyon Creek, a small pond protected at its lower end by an earthen dam. The dam collapsed half an hour later, spilling up to five feet of water through the area and into the western business district of the city….

“The Omaha district of the Army Corps of Engineers declared the disaster a Class A emergency, making all Corps facilities available to alleviate suffering and restore utilities. A spokesman said cleaning debris away from clogged stream channels had high priority in order to provide more rapid drainage and aid in carrying away any additional rainfall.

“At one point during the day, when the death toll stood at 105, Sheriff Glenn Best said he believed only a third of thee dead had been found.

“In declaring the region a disaster area, Nixon made emergency federal aid available for the recovery effort….

“Mayor Don Barnett of Rapid City requested military policemen to patrol the area after reports of looting at a west side shopping center during the day. Police Chief Ronald Messer said he could use 1,500 military policemen to aid his department.

“Gov. Richard Kneip, who arrived Saturday, said rescuers ‘were picking up bodies all across the southwestern part of the city.’

“Two South Dakota National Guardsmen and three Rapid City firemen were among the victims….Corning said the other missing guardsman was into the water while attempting to rescue people. ‘One had his one hand on the door of the truck and had a little girl by the arm with the other hand,’ Corning said. ‘The little girl, I guess was about 12, started to slip. He let go of the truck to reach for her. They were both swept away.’ Corning said the other missing guardsman was one of four who had formed a human chain from a tree in an attempt to reach a flood victim in the water. ‘The tree broke and two of the four men were swept away. But one of them managed to escape the flood,’ he said.

“There were about 1,800 guardsmen at summer encampment in the area who were activated for search and rescue duty.

“Fire department officials said the three firemen reported as missing were fighting a house fire that erupted after a gas line ruptured. The rushing water dislodged the house from its foundation, knocking the firemen into flooding Rapid Creek.

“Keystone, a small town southwest of Rapid City near the Mount Rushmore National Memorial, also was reported heavily damaged by the rains. Eight of the 150 victims were from Keystone, said Rapid City’s mayor. Communications with the small town were severed….” (AP/Terry Woster. “150 Known Dead, 500 Missing in Black Hills Region Flooding.” Daily Plainsman, Huron, SD. 6-11-1972, p. 1.)

June 12: “By F. Richard Ciccone, Associated Press Writer. Rapid City, S.D. (AP) – The death toll in the nation’s worst flood disaster in 44 years has reached 208, and officials fear many more bodies will be found outside Rapid City in the streams that filter from the nearby Black Hills. Civil Defense officials estimated the missing at 500, and said today that it was impossible to estimate the number of injured.

“At least 3,000 persons were left homeless, and damage was estimated at more than $100 million.

“Maj. Gen. Duane L. ‘Duke’ Corning, commanding 2,500 National Guardsmen in Rapid City, said about 1,000 men worked into the night ‘turning over any debris that might hide a body.’

“Mayor Donald Barnett imposed a 10 p.m. to dawn curfew on the city of 43,000. He halted night search operations by the more than 3,000 civilian volunteers, and said the rescue teams accomplished as much during daylight hours as they did working around the clock. The volunteers and guardsmen have been at work since daylight Saturday, hours after a wave crashed through an earthen dam at rain-swollen Canyon Lake on the western edge of Rapid City.

“The water smashed through the city, flipping cars, crushing trees and lifting homes off their foundations and slamming them into a heap of splinters blocks away….” (AP. “Death Toll Reaches 208 in America’s Worst Flood Disaster in 44 Years.” Daily Republic, Mitchell, SD. 6-12-1972, 1.)

June 13: “By R. Richard Ciccone, Associated Press Writer. Rapid City, S.D. (AP) – Rapid City began burying its dead in three cemeteries today as survivors continued to search for more flood victims….

“Meanwhile, County District Judge Marshall Young announced that the latest official death toll was 202. More bodies were being found and the toll was sure to rise….” (AP. “Burial of RC Flood Victims Begins as Search for Dead Continues.” Daily Republic, Mitchell, SD, 6-13-1972, p. 1.)

June 16: “By Terry M. Devine, Associated Press Writer. Rapid City, S.D. (AP) – The mournful task of burying the dead went on today in flood-ravaged Rapid City and other Black Hills towns as plans were made for a mass memorial service Sunday for all victims.

“The number of known dead edged upward to 207 Thursday. Authorities said they have identified 192 of the bodies, but more than 600 persons are missing….” (AP/Terry M. Devine. “207 Dead, 600 Still Missing – Plans Made for Mass Memorial for R.C. Victims.” Daily Republic, Mitchell, SD, 6-16-1972, p. 1.)

June 17: “By Terry Devine, Associated Press Writer. Rapid City, S.D. (AP) – One week after a devastating flash flood at this resort town, officials still don’t know whether 450 people are dead or alive….The flood death toll stood at 214 today, 13 of those unidentified….” (AP. “450 Persons Still Missing One Week After R.C. Flood.” Daily Republic, Mitchell, SD, 6-17-1972, p. 1.)

Sources

Associated Press/Terry Woster. “150 Known Dead, 500 Missing in Black Hills Region Flooding.” Daily Plainsman, Huron, SD. 6-11-1972, p. 1. Accessed 5-20-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/huron-daily-plainsman-jun-11-1972-p-1/

Associated Press/Terry M. Devine. “207 Dead, 600 Still Missing – Plans Made for Mass Memorial for R.C. Victims.” Daily Republic, Mitchell, SD, 6-16-1972, p. 1. Accessed 5-20-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mitchell-daily-republic-jun-16-1972-p-1/

Associated Press/Terry Devine. “450 Persons Still Missing One Week After R.C. Flood.” Daily Republic, Mitchell, SD, 6-17-1972, p. 1. Accessed 5-20-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mitchell-daily-republic-jun-17-1972-p-1/

Associated Press/Richard Ciccone. “Burial of RC Flood Victims Begins as Search for Dead Continues.” Daily Republic, Mitchell, SD, 6-13-1972, p. 1. Accessed 5-20-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mitchell-daily-republic-jun-13-1972-p-1/

Associated Press. “Death Toll Reaches 208 in America’s Worst Flood Disaster in 44 Years.” Daily Republic, Mitchell, SD. 6-12-1972, p. 1. Accessed 5-20-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mitchell-daily-republic-jun-12-1972-p-1/

Associated Press. “Torrential Rain Floods Rapid City Area; Cause Fires, Explosions; 55 Dead.” Daily Republic, Mitchell, SD, 6-10-1972, p. 1. Accessed 5-20-2020 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/mitchell-daily-republic-jun-10-1972-p-1/

Burt, Christopher C. and Mark Stroud. Extreme Weather: A Guide & Record Book. W. W. Norton & Co., 2004, 304 pages. Google preview accessed 1-1-2014 at: http://books.google.com/books?id=NuP7ATq9nWgC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

Cornell, James. The Great International Disaster Book (Third Edition). New York: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1982.

Drabek, Thomas E. The Human Side of Disaster. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2010.

History.com. This Day in History, Disaster, June 9, 1972. “Flash Flood Hits Rapid City.” Accessed 12/7/2008 at: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history.do?action=tdihArticleCategory&displayDate=06/09&categoryId=disaster

Ludlum, David M. The American Weather Book. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1982.

National Weather Service Weather Forecast Center, Pleasant Hill, MO. Historic Flood Events in the Missouri River Basin. NWS/NOAA, 7-29-2008. At: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/mbrfc/?n=flood

Office of Justice Programs, United States Department of Justice. Community Crisis Response Team Training Manual: Second Edition (Appendix D: Catastrophes Used as Reference Points in Training Curricula). Washington, DC: OJP, U.S. Department of Justice. Accessed at: http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/infores/crt/pdftxt/appendd.txt

Paulson, R.W., Chase, E.B., Roberts, R.S., and Moody, D.W., compilers, 1991, National water summary, 1988-89-Hydrologic events and floods and droughts: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 2375, 591 pages.

United States Department of Homeland Security. Dams Sector: Estimating Loss of Life for Dam Failure Scenarios. September 2011, 94 pages. Accessed 12-2-2017 at: https://www.hsdl.org/?view&did=726315

United States Geological Survey. The 1972 Black Hills-Rapid City Flood Revisited (webpage). USGS, South Dakota Water Science Center. 7-23-2007 update. Accessed 5-20-2020 at: https://web.archive.org/web/20071009114711/http://sd.water.usgs.gov/projects/1972flood/

United States Geological Survey. Summary of Significant Floods in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, 1970 Through 1989 (Water-Supply Paper 2502). USGS Kansas Water Science Center, Sep 17, 2008. Accessed 11-12-2016 at: http://ks.water.usgs.gov/pubs/reports/wsp.2502.contents.html#HDR1

Webley, Kayla and Robert Holmes (USGS). “Top 10 Historic U.S. Floods.” Time. 5-11-2011. Accessed 8-21-2017 at: http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2070796_2070798,00.html?xid=rss-specials