By: Ryan Duey
Photo Courtesy of RCGS
The Chapman Center for Rural Studies and the Riley County Genealogical Society (RCGS) are collaborating to present ‘Big Dam Foolishness: The Drowned Settlements of the Blue River Valley’ in the Manhattan Public Library Auditorium on Sunday, June 22nd at 2:30 p.m.
The Presentation, presented by KSU senior Dakota Boyles, will speak about Carnahan Creek and lost communities due to the construction of the Tuttle Creek Reservoir.
Boyles said what started as a small case study on the Carnahan Creek Cemetery and its surrounding people evolved into a much larger project.
“This presentation was a part of my internship. I did this last semester on how drastic the losses were that Tuttle Creek had caused to the Blue River Valley.”
“This presentation focuses on Carnahan Creek, but also talks to us about what happened to not only Carnahan Creek, but all the other communities.”
With the growth of nearby cities, such as Manhattan, the need for flood control became a concern, leading to the Flood Control Act of 1938, which authorized the construction of Tuttle Creek Reservoir. While this Act faced opposition, it was eventually built, displacing families and communities at the same time.
Boyles hopes the audience learns something about the area and finds it as interesting as she did in her studies.
“I found it very interesting, so I hope audience members find it very interesting, and I hope they will learn something new about the area that they live in and walk away knowing some more fun facts.”
Admission is free with no pre-registration needed. For more information on the event, visit the RCGS Facebook page.
