January 10, 2013
Ring Reunited With Owner After Loss in 1972 Flood

A Rapid City Public Librarian recently helped locate the owner of a 1968 class ring that was lost during the 1972 Rapid City Flood.

Rapid City Public Librarian, Leanna Bussell recently located the owner of a 1968 class ring that was lost over 40 years ago during the 1972 Rapid City Flood. The ring was found by Neil Ramlow while he was working for a salvage company after the flood. According to the Rapid City Journal article, Neil held onto the ring but had always wanted to locate the original owner.

June 11, 2012
American Indian Community Reflects on Flood's Impact

Pow wow and Wiping of the Tears ceremony remember those who lost their lives in the flood of 1972.

Billy Good Voice Elk Junior, a Lakota spiritual advisor, consoled those who attended ceremonies at the Mother Butler Center in rememberance of the 1972 flood. Don Loudner, a member of the South Dakota National Guard in 1972 who helped rescue people that night, offered memories. 

For more on this story, watch the newscast on KOTA News.

June 10, 2012
Debate Surrounds Post-Flood Development

After the flood of 1972, park land in Rapid City grew substantially. Now, as more businesses and buildings are being developed in the green way some concerns are being raised.

Without the tragic Flood of 1972, Rapid City would have a much smaller amount of park land. Running through the center of town is an enormous greenway, a direct result of the devastating flood. This region now features Memorial Park, the Executive Golf Course, Central High School, and the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center. Recently even more amenities have been added to the greenway such as the Rapid City Swim Center and Roosevelt Ice Arena.

June 9, 2012
Restricted Development on Floodplain

Rapid City continues to restrict development in floodplain areas 40 years after the flood.

Forty years ago a massive flash flood destroyed homes and took the lives of 238 residents of Rapid City. For this reason, the city of Rapid City continues to restrict development in areas near the floodway or the area where the water would flow in a flood. If the city did not have these regulations in place, residents would not be eligible for flood insurance, according to the Rapid City Journal article.

June 8, 2012
Rapid City Remembers Black Hills Power's Important Role in Flood Restoration Effort

Retired Rapid City lineman remembers working nearly around the clock to make sure customers were safe.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Friday, June 8, 2012

Mayor Sam Kooiker

Mutch Usera, Director of External Affairs & Sarah Folsland, Communications Manager

Rapid City and Black Hills area communities rallied to recover from the historic events of 1972, and those efforts included the Black Hills Power linemen (now referred to as line mechanics) who were charged with restoring electric power after the devastation.

Jack Naugle, retired lineman, remembers working nearly around the clock to make sure customers were safe.

June 6, 2012
Rapid City Flood Survivor Wants Greenway Preservation

Flood survivor Todd Burgess wants to ensure that the city does not pursue any development along the floodplain of Rapid Creek.

Flood survivor Todd Burgess wants to ensure that the city does not pursue any development along the floodplain of Rapid Creek. To remind the community of the flood's devastation, he has volunteered his graphic design company to make educational signs along the city's bike path that follows the creek.  To read the full article, follow the link to the Rapid City Journal.

June 3, 2012
Week Before Commemoration Of Rapid City Flood Filled With Memories and Preparation

Read up on events for the 40th anniversary of the Black Hills Flood and first-hand accounts.

Preparations are underway for three days commemorating the Black Hills Flood of 1972 that devastated Rapid City and surrounding areas. The Rapid City Journal lists events happening on June 8-10. The Journal also shared memories from flood survivors.

May 7, 2012
Flood of 1972 Remembered In Exhibit And Stories

Residents share stories of the Flood of 1972 at Journey exhibit opening and online through the library.

"Mega Floods: The 1972 Awakening" opened May 6 as an exhibit at The Journey Museum. Set to run through August 10, this is part of the museum's programs to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Flood of 1972.

April 19, 2012
Recreation Professor to Speak on Role of Rapid City Flood in Creating Park System

An expert on green space will be featured during a workshop as well as a symposium exploring the legacy of the 1972 flood and the value of Rapid City’s parkland.

John Crompton, an internationally recognized expert on the economic value that parks bring to communities, will lead a day-long workshop and be the featured speaker speak at an evening symposium,  sponsored by the Friends of Rapid City Parks.