Recovering the Histories of Communities Inundated by Snake River Dams

FAIN: MD-277080-21

Boise State University (Boise, ID 83725-0001)
Bob H. Reinhardt (Project Director: June 2020 to November 2024)

Development of a digital history project to explore communities inundated by the building of the Snake River dams during the twentieth century.

Digital public history project that will investigate, interpret, and communicate the histories of communities inundated by the development of hydroelectric and irrigation projects on the Snake River in Wyoming, Idaho, and Washington

Associated Products

The Atlas of Drowned Towns: Recovering the Histories of Places Displaced by Dam Construction (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: The Atlas of Drowned Towns: Recovering the Histories of Places Displaced by Dam Construction
Abstract: This presentation discussed the history of community displacement due to dam construction and reviewed the progress of the Atlas of Drowned Towns.
Author: Bob H. Reinhardt
Date: 11/09/21
Location: Baker City, Oregon

The Atlas of Drowned Towns: Recovering the Histories of Places Lost to Dam Construction (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: The Atlas of Drowned Towns: Recovering the Histories of Places Lost to Dam Construction
Abstract: During the twentieth century, hundreds of communities in the American West disappeared, and no one seemed to care. River development projects – massive dams built for irrigation, hydroelectricity, and flood control – displaced or destroyed towns, tribal communities, farmsteads, and ranches on the Snake, Colorado, Columbia, and other rivers. Recovering these lost histories is the mission of The Atlas of Drowned Towns, a multimedia and multi-platform public history project (drownedtowns.com). This talk with introduce and explain the objectives and vision of The Atlas of Drowned Towns, exploring some of the questions lurking under the surface of reservoirs: How did these displaced communities respond to their removal – with enthusiasm, acquiescence, or/and resistance? Why did they respond in those ways? What was it like to live in and have to leave these places? And what can we in the 21st century learn from the history of displacement, as we face a future that threatens more such displacement?
Author: Bob H. Reinhardt
Date: 03/09/2022
Location: Boise, Idaho

The Atlas of Drowned Towns (Web Resource)
Title: The Atlas of Drowned Towns
Author: Bob H. Reinhardt
Abstract: An introduction to the Atlas of Drowned Towns project, including preliminary maps and tables of displaced communities, and a portal for users to ask questions and contribute information
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://drownedtowns.com

Finding Old Detroit: Recovering and Interpreting the Histories of Communities Displaced by River Development Projects (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Finding Old Detroit: Recovering and Interpreting the Histories of Communities Displaced by River Development Projects
Abstract: Presented work to date on Drowned Towns Project. Presentation at conference of Society of American Archaeologists.
Author: Bob H. Reinhardt
Date: 3/30/23
Location: Portland, Oregon

The Atlas of Drowned Towns: Recovering the Histories of Places Lost to Dam Construction (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: The Atlas of Drowned Towns: Recovering the Histories of Places Lost to Dam Construction
Abstract: Presentation on the project to the Boise WaterShed arts group.
Author: Bob H. Reinhardt
Date: 4/28/23
Location: Boise, ID

Finding Old Detroit: Recovering and Interpreting the Histories of Communities Displaced by River Development Projects (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Finding Old Detroit: Recovering and Interpreting the Histories of Communities Displaced by River Development Projects
Abstract: Presentation on the project to the North Santiam Historical Society.
Author: Bob H. Reinhardt
Date: 5/4/23
Location: Gates, OR

Interview about "Drowned Towns" on KYAC community radio (Radio/Audio Broadcast or Recording)
Title: Interview about "Drowned Towns" on KYAC community radio
Producer: Ken Cartwright
Abstract: I was interviewed on a local radio station about the Atlas of Drowned Towns and its relationship to the community of Detroit, Oregon.
Date: 07/02/2023
Primary URL: https://www.kyacfm.org
Format: Radio

Drowned Towns: Resurfacing Histories of Inundated Communities Roundtable (Conference Paper/Presentation)
Title: Drowned Towns: Resurfacing Histories of Inundated Communities Roundtable
Author: Brittany Spoto
Author: Bob Reinhardt
Author: Rachel Klade
Author: Jack Warner
Author: Melody Munger
Author: Tracy Schwartz
Abstract: Conducted a roundtable at the annual conference of the American Association for State and Local History about the Atlas of Drowned Towns and how to research and interpret the histories of displaced communities.
Date: 09/07/23
Conference Name: American Association for State and Local History

Finding Old Detroit (Public Lecture or Presentation)
Title: Finding Old Detroit
Abstract: Spoke to two classes of local high school students about the Atlas of Drowned Towns.
Author: BOB REINHARDT
Date: 10/29/2023
Location: Mill City, OR

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