Floods

Batchelder states the Austin Dam failure was caused by criminal negligence because the problem was not fixed before disaster struck. He encourages Theodore Roosevelt to read an article from Engineering News about the failure of the dam. Batchelder believes dam failure could happen in more locations and asks Roosevelt to comment on the matter in The Outlook to raise awareness.

Comments and Context

The Austin Dam in Austin, Pennsylvania, failed on September 30, 1911, killing 78 people. Within a few months of its construction in 1909, problems were detected, but dismissed as a normal response to drying concrete.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

John W. Samuels asks for Theodore Roosevelt’s advice on how to get the government to build a new reservoir rather than fix the dam near his farm in Lakewood, New Mexico which is currently part of the Carlsbad Project. Samuels believes abandoning Lake McMillan and building a new reservoir closer to the Carlsbad Project will create thousands of acres of fertile farmland.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-30

A man, woman, and infant wearing ragged clothing labeled “The American Middle Class” sit on a rock labeled “Opportunity” above the rising waters of “Centralized Wealth” in which sharks are circling. In the background, only the head and shoulders of the Statue of Liberty are visible above the water.

comments and context

Comments and Context

“The Rising Waters” by Carl Hassmann is a masterpiece of editorial-cartooning iconography, and a slight example of period hyperbole. It relied on few labels, and the expressions of the couple and the storm clouds easily conveyed the intended flavor. The spirit of the times believed that corporate abuses and an unregulated economy represented a threat to average Americans and liberty itself.

Flood waters of the Little Missouri River with ice flow, looking northeast at Chimney State Park, Medora, North Dakota.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-03

Flood waters of the Little Missouri River with ice flow, looking north from the bridge in Medora, North Dakota.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-03

Flood waters of the Little Missouri River where a sandbag barrier was constructed between U.S. Highway 10 and railroad tracks near the entrance to the park.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-03

Maltese Cross Cabin prepared for flood waters of the Little Missouri River behind the visitors’ center.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-04

Sandbag barrier in anticipation of flood waters from the Little Missouri River at the south unit entrance.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-03

Severe flooding of the Little Missouri River affecting Chimney State Park and surrounding areas north and south of the bridge in Medora.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-03

Severe flooding of the Little Missouri River affecting Cottonwood Campground.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-04

Severe flooding of the Little Missouri River affecting the southern loop of the Cottonwood Campground.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-04

Severe flooding of the Little Missouri River affecting the southern loop of the Cottonwood Campground (only trees and signs are visible).

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-04

Severe flooding of the Little Missouri River approaching Interstate 94 and the town of Medora as seen from Johnson Plateau.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-04

Severe flooding of the Little Missouri River stopped by a flood barrier constructed by the National Park Service well beyond the river’s banks at the park’s entrance.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-04

Severe flooding from the Little Missouri River approaching the Maltese Cross Ranch Cabin, which has been prepared for flooding behind the visitors’ center.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-04

National Park Service barrier construction due to flooding water from the Little Missouri River behind the visitors’ center.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-04

Construction of barrier due to flooding water from the Little Missouri River behind the visitors’ center.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-04

Major flooding at Chimney State Park with water from the Little Missouri River. Only trees and the historic chimney are visible.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-04

Barrier construction due to flood water from the Little Missouri River behind the visitors’ center.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-03-27

Flood damage from the Little Missouri River in the southern loop of the Cottonwood Campground.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Creation Date

1978-04