FERGUS FALLS, Minn. – In Fergus Falls, a man-made disaster has become a unique attraction that draws visitors from all over the state. The Broken Down Dam, once a vital source of power built in 1908, now stands as a testament to both natural beauty and human error. The dam collapsed less than a year after its construction, causing a cascade of events that led to the first recorded flood in the city’s history. Chris Schuelke, executive director for the Otter Tail County Historical Society, describes the scene as a movie, with the dam crumbling as workers scrambled to safety. The collapse, which occurred in the early morning hours of September 24, 1909, resulted in the destruction of four other dams, a bridge, and flooding of homes and businesses.
The cause of the collapse was likely due to an engineering error, as the dam was built over a natural spring, weakening its foundation. Despite lawsuits and controversy that followed, the tons of concrete debris were never removed, and the area has since been turned into a park. Today, the Broken Down Dam park is a popular destination for hikers, kayakers, and canoeists, offering a glimpse into the area’s history and the power of nature. Fortunately, no one was injured during the collapse, but the legacy of the dam serves as a reminder of the importance of careful planning and maintenance in engineering projects.