Video: 'Rapid City Flood'

(Friday, June 9, 1972, Canyon Lake Dam gave way at 10:45 p.m. MDT; during the 1972 Black Hills flood) — Heavy rains triggered record one of the deadliest floods in U.S. history tonight in the Black Hills of South Dakota, resulting in 238 deaths and 3,057 injuries.

15 inches of rain in a small area over the Black Hills caused Rapid Creek and other waterways to overflow. Severe flooding of residential and commercial properties in Rapid City occurred when Canyon Lake Dam became clogged with debris and failed.

Video: 'Disasters Of The Century | Rapid City Floods'

In addition to the 238 deaths and 3,057 injuries, more than 1,335 homes and 5,000 automobiles were destroyed. The value of property damage was estimated to be over $160 million in 1972 dollars ($1.04 billion in 2021 dollars).

Flooding also occurred in Battle, Spring, Bear Butte, and Boxelder creeks.