Twenty-five floods impacted the Manhattan area between 1903 and 1959. The Flood Control Act of 1938 authorized a reservoir, and in 1944, the first bit of funding was acquired. Several years were spent in the planning phase before the 1951 flood spurred action. In 1952, construction began on the Tuttle Creek Dam.  

The community’s divided opinion was clear. A 1952 poll done by the Mercury-Chronicle here in Manhattan shows this, when locals were asked “Do you favor the building of Tuttle Creek dam?” Over a dozen answers made it to print, with varying reasons for or against the dam.  

• In favor, one woman wrote: “I suffered a $6,000 loss during the flood last year and it’s evident that something must be done. I lived in California for 15 years and have been able to witness the effectiveness of large dams built in that state. The proposed Tuttle Creek dam would benefit Manhattan without destroying farmlands northward if the floodgates are kept open except during times or high water.”  
• Against it, one man wrote: “The Tuttle Creek dam would do as much good in the Atlantic Ocean as it would on the Blue River, in my opinion. Any dam built with earth stands a good chance of breaking and its building would be dangerous for people of Manhattan. Besides, thousands of acres of good farmland would be wasted.”  

Labeling the Tuttle Creek Dam project as “Big Dam Foolishness,” protestors were able to delay construction from December 1953 until December 1955 through vigorous campaigning, letter writing, and public debate. 

However, the dam was eventually completed in 1962. Several small towns were flooded and approximately 3,000 people were displaced to make way for the dam.