Behind The Dam: A tribute to the real builders and the people who gave up their land for the Dam

Starting in 1970 the US Army Corps of Engineers and a large construction company began to build a flood control dam in Southwestern Ohio. Setbacks and obstacles plagued the project during the six years of construction.Environmental opponents objected to the project long before the builders started their work. Opponents claimed the cost was excessive and the dam unnecessary. The opponents accused the government of being uncaring about the 185 families whose homes and farms were taken to make way for the dam. Delaying and protesting devices included injunctions, camp-ins, the voices of politicians, and biased newspaper articles.Weather, floods, and accidents hampered the contractor during the six years spent building the dam. Union disputes and personal tragedies complicated the difficult and ominous task. The ulterior motives of a rogue government inspector added to the contractor's problems.A politician and three realtors took advantage of hapless owners who wanted to sell. Some owners resorted to deception to enhance the value of their property.The story behind the dam is about hardships and perils that were part of the workers' lives. Their unheralded efforts made the dam a beautiful and useful reality. Without tribute, they put a little of themselves into the dam and lake. In the final stages, a financial crisis threatens the contractor's business life.The government's resident engineer and the contractor's project manager had the same goal, build the dam. They set aside conflicting motives to focus on and solve the projects many problems and challenges.