The Idaho Legislature has approved $400,000 for a study into the possibility of rebuilding the Teton Dam. The original Teton Dam, the last big dam built in the West, collapsed in 1976 when it was only 3/4 full. The ensuing flood killed 11 humans and 18,000 nonhuman animals.

The stated reason for wanting to build a new dam is to increase water storage and fend off worsening shortages that are hitting Idaho’s farmers. The original Teton dam was also hydroelectric; news reports do not mention if a new Teton dam would also generate electricity.

Idaho has also allocated $1.4 million to study the possibility of raising the Minidoka Dam on the Snake River by four to five feet.