In June 1925, a landslide occurred in southwest Wyoming with a volume of 50 million cubic yards. It may have been triggered by snowmelt, heavy rains, or earthquake tremors in the area. The slide obstructed the Gros Ventre River creating Slide Lake which continued to enlarge over the next 23 months. Eventually, the natural dam overtopped and failed on May 18, 1927. The flood killed six people in the downstream town of Kelly, WY. This presentation will also discuss other types of natural dams and highlight the need to intervene to protect people and property from failures like the one that occurred at Gros Ventre.
