Tuttle Creek Lake

While taking an afternoon nap, Brian took me to Tuttle Creek Lake and  the Dam.  Brian gave me a little history behind the dam, and the Great Flood of 1993.  In 1993, the water behind the dam were 63 ft above normal, causing officials to release water through the 18-flood gates.  After three weeks, the gates were closed, resulting in bedrock and terrain being washed away, causing the creation of a 20 ft-deep canyon, and fossils being unearthed and exposed.

An aerial picture of Tuttle Creek Lake and Dam

 

An aerial picture during the release

A picture on-line following the gate release

From an observation parking lot overlooking the lake.

This has relevance to me, growing up near the Mississippi River.  I remember the Great Flood of 1993.  Here in Quincy, the levee broke during the river flooding, resulting in nearby roadways and stores being under water.  My dad ended up staying at grandma’s house so he could continue to work in Quincy.

An aerial picture during the Great Flood in Quincy