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Skipping College: The New Playbook for Successful Careers Without College

by | Dec 26, 2024 | Future of Education

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: The New Playbook for Successful Careers Without College

The floundering roots of our college ecosystem are being exposed.

It has become increasingly evident that many young people are questioning the long-held belief that a traditional four-year college education is the best—or only—path to success. Rising tuition costs, mounting student debt, and uncertain job prospects after graduation have driven a growing skepticism toward the value of a college degree. At the same time, the rapid evolution of technology and shifting demands in the labor market have highlighted the need for skills-based learning and alternative career pathways.

This change reflects a broader cultural and economic shift, with more individuals seeking practical, affordable, and efficient ways to enter the workforce. The future of career preparation is evolving, with a focus on building meaningful networks, acquiring hands-on skills, and leveraging personalized education options like trade schools, certifications, online courses, and mentorships. These alternatives not only align better with individual goals but also provide direct, tangible routes to professional success in an ever-changing world.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: Why Attitudes Toward College Are Changing

The foundation of our higher education system is beginning to crumble.

Why Attitudes Toward College Are Changing

The shifting attitudes toward higher education are being driven by a convergence of economic, professional, and cultural factors. Economically, the skyrocketing cost of college tuition and the resulting student loan crisis have left many young people questioning whether a degree is worth the financial burden. As of 2024, student loan debt in the United States exceeds $1.7 trillion, with the average borrower carrying a debt of over $37,000. Alarmingly, the burden doesn’t end at retirement—data shows that approximately 3.5 million Americans aged 60 and older are still paying off student loans, collectively owing over $125 billion.

For many, the return on investment of a degree feels increasingly uncertain, particularly in fields where starting salaries often fail to justify the financial strain. This stark economic reality is pushing more individuals to explore alternatives that offer greater value and quicker pathways into the workforce.

At the same time, the job market is undergoing a significant transformation. Employers are placing greater emphasis on specific skills and certifications over traditional academic credentials, recognizing that practical knowledge often matters more than degrees. Industries like technology, healthcare, and skilled trades are prioritizing demonstrable expertise and hands-on experience. Furthermore, the rise of automation and artificial intelligence is reshaping roles across various sectors, creating a demand for adaptable workers who can learn and apply new tools and technologies. This shift is further diminishing the relevance of rigid, degree-based qualifications.

Culturally, younger generations are redefining what success looks like. They value flexibility, autonomy, and purpose in their careers and are increasingly moving away from the one-size-fits-all approach of attending a four-year college. Instead, they are opting for faster, more practical learning experiences that align with their unique goals and lifestyles. The rise of entrepreneurial ventures, gig work, and self-directed education highlights this generation’s desire for independence and efficiency. As these economic, professional, and cultural forces converge, the traditional college experience is losing its status as the default first step toward a career, making way for a new era of education and professional development.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: The Cornerstone of Career Preparation

Who are the people that look like what you want to become? Find them, get to know them, and make them your network.

Building a Network: The Cornerstone of Career Preparation

Building a network is one of the most critical components of career preparation, especially for those who choose to forgo traditional college education. Surrounding yourself with professionals in your desired field offers invaluable opportunities to learn from their experiences, gain insights into industry trends, and establish meaningful relationships that can lead to future opportunities. But an essential question lies at the heart of this effort: who is it that looks like what you want to become? Identifying these individuals—those who embody the skills, achievements, and values you aspire to—helps clarify your career vision and provides real-world examples of success. These individuals can be industry leaders, peers, or mentors who inspire you with their accomplishments, work ethic and approach to challenges.

Mentorship plays a particularly vital role in this process, as mentors not only provide guidance and support but also offer a window into the realities of your chosen field. By observing their paths and learning from their experiences, you can better understand the strategies and decisions that lead to success. Strong professional connections, whether with mentors or peers, can open doors to internships, job offers, and collaborative projects, making networking a cornerstone of career success.

To build a robust network and connect with people who reflect your aspirations, aspiring professionals must take proactive steps. Attending industry trade shows and conferences provides an excellent opportunity to meet experts, learn about emerging technologies, and showcase your enthusiasm for the industry. Social media platforms like LinkedIn have also become indispensable tools for connecting with professionals, joining discussions, and staying updated on job openings and industry news. Additionally, joining professional organizations or participating in online communities tailored to specific industries allows individuals to form connections with like-minded peers and mentors. By leveraging these opportunities, young people can surround themselves with individuals who look like what they want to become, creating a supportive network that not only enhances their career prospects but also keeps them motivated and focused on their goals.

One of the most overlooked yet powerful abilities people possess is the power to convene a meeting. Bringing individuals together to share ideas, solve problems, or collaborate can drive meaningful change and create opportunities. This simple act of gathering people with purpose and intention has the potential to inspire action, foster innovation, and build connections that might otherwise never happen.

The New Playbook for Careers Without College

The rise of alternatives to traditional college education is revolutionizing how young people prepare for their careers, offering practical, accessible, and affordable pathways to success. Trade schools, for example, are experiencing a resurgence as they cater to the growing demand for skilled professionals in fields like plumbing, welding, and electrical work. These vocational programs provide focused, hands-on training in a fraction of the time and cost required to earn a college degree, enabling students to quickly transition into high-paying, stable careers.

Certifications and micro-credentials have also emerged as powerful options, particularly in industries like technology, healthcare, and business, where specific skills are in high demand. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Google Career Certificates empower learners to gain targeted expertise on flexible schedules and at a lower cost. These credentials signal to employers a mastery of specific competencies, making them a direct pathway to job opportunities without the traditional four-year college experience.

Tutors, mentors, and apprenticeships add a highly personalized and practical layer to this new educational ecosystem. Learning directly from a mentor or participating in an apprenticeship provides real-world experience and invaluable insights into industry-specific challenges and solutions. Whether it’s finding mentors through professional associations, networking events, or online platforms, these relationships offer guidance and skill development tailored to an individual’s career goals.

The explosion of online learning platforms, including Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) like Khan Academy, Skillshare, and coding bootcamps, has democratized access to high-quality education. These platforms enable learners to acquire skills in fields ranging from graphic design and software development to business management and data analytics. Countless success stories highlight how individuals have leveraged online courses to transition into new careers or build expertise in their existing fields, showcasing the transformative potential of these tools.

In addition to these structured alternatives, many young people are choosing to bypass traditional employment altogether by becoming freelancers or entrepreneurs. Freelancing allows individuals to take ownership of their work, build a client base, and develop a portfolio that showcases their abilities. It’s an ideal path for those with skills in areas like writing, graphic design, programming, or digital marketing, offering the flexibility to grow a career on their own terms. Similarly, entrepreneurship provides a platform for innovation and independence, enabling individuals to turn their ideas into viable businesses. Whether launching a small startup or developing a niche product, entrepreneurship fosters creativity, resilience, and the opportunity to learn through hands-on experience.

With such a diverse range of alternatives available, young people today have more freedom than ever to tailor their career preparation to their unique goals and aspirations. From trade schools and certifications to freelancing and entrepreneurship, these pathways offer practical and adaptable solutions for navigating the evolving demands of the modern workforce.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: Developing Skills Through Practical Experience

There are many ways to master a skill with hands-on experience.

Developing Skills Through Practical Experience

Practical experience plays a vital role in preparing for a career, allowing young people to develop real-world skills and build confidence outside of traditional academic environments. Entrepreneurial ventures, such as starting a small business or freelancing, provide invaluable opportunities for learning by doing. These experiences not only teach technical and management skills but also encourage creativity, problem-solving, and resilience. Building a portfolio of work through these ventures allows individuals to showcase their abilities and achievements, offering potential employers or clients tangible evidence of their capabilities.

Internships and part-time work are another powerful way to gain hands-on experience while exploring career interests. Working in a professional setting enables individuals to apply theoretical knowledge in practical scenarios, build expertise, and gain insights into industry operations. These experiences also expose individuals to real-world challenges, helping them develop a strong work ethic, adaptability, and interpersonal skills. Early exposure to professional environments can be a critical stepping stone, offering opportunities to network and secure future job offers.

Personal projects and hobbies can also be surprisingly effective in building transferable skills. Pursuing interests such as coding, content creation, or crafting a physical product allows individuals to explore their passions while acquiring valuable abilities that can be applied to various careers. For instance, creating a YouTube channel teaches content marketing, video editing, and audience engagement, while building a mobile app demonstrates problem-solving and technical expertise. By leveraging these experiences, young people can stand out in the workforce, demonstrating initiative, versatility, and a commitment to personal and professional growth.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: Challenges and Considerations to Skipping College

Since college provides a structured environment, young people must learn to set their own goals and manage their own time.

Challenges and Considerations

Choosing to skip college and pursue alternative career paths comes with its own set of challenges and considerations, starting with overcoming societal stigma. For generations, college has been perceived as the ultimate gateway to success, and deviating from this norm often invites skepticism from family, peers, and employers. Many hold onto the misconception that skipping college equates to a lack of ambition or qualifications, creating pressure for young people to conform. However, this narrative is gradually changing, thanks to high-profile success stories of entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and skilled professionals who have thrived without traditional degrees. By focusing on results and building a strong track record, individuals can challenge these outdated perceptions and redefine what success looks like in today’s evolving workforce.

Another major challenge is the need for self-discipline and motivation. Without the structured environment of a college program, individuals must take full responsibility for setting goals, managing their time, and maintaining momentum. This level of self-direction can be daunting but is essential for success in alternative pathways. Practical strategies, such as creating a clear roadmap with achievable milestones, finding accountability partners, and regularly evaluating progress, can help individuals stay on track. Additionally, cultivating a growth mindset—viewing challenges as opportunities to learn and improve—can provide the resilience needed to navigate setbacks and uncertainties. While these paths demand greater initiative, they also foster independence and a sense of ownership over one’s career, ultimately preparing individuals for the dynamic and self-driven nature of the modern job market.

The Future of Career Preparation

The future of career preparation is rapidly evolving as employers and individuals alike rethink traditional approaches to education and workforce development. Companies are increasingly shifting their hiring practices to prioritize skills, experience, and certifications over formal degrees. This evolution is driven by the realization that many roles, particularly in technology and other fast-changing industries, require specialized knowledge that can be acquired through alternative pathways. Forward-thinking businesses are also forging partnerships with trade schools, bootcamps, and online education platforms to create tailored training programs that directly align with their workforce needs. These collaborations not only help bridge the skills gap but also provide aspiring professionals with clear, industry-specific pathways to employment.

At the same time, advancements in technology are ushering in a new era of personalized learning, where individuals can design educational experiences that cater specifically to their goals, interests, and schedules. Platforms offering micro-credentials, certifications, and modular courses empower learners to focus on acquiring the skills they need without the additional time or cost of traditional degree programs. Predictive analytics and AI-driven tools are further enhancing this trend, enabling learners to identify the most relevant skills for their desired careers and receive tailored recommendations for achieving them. As these tools continue to improve, we can expect a proliferation of accessible, affordable, and flexible educational opportunities that blur the lines between formal education, work experience, and professional networking. The future of career preparation will be defined by adaptability, collaboration, and a shift toward lifelong learning.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: The Future of Career Preparation

Every career is a puzzle, and whether you go to college or not, it all comes together one piece at a time.

Final Thoughts

The era of college being the default—or best—path for career success is fading as alternative options grow in legitimacy and appeal. While traditional higher education will always hold value for certain professions, it is no longer a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, the focus is shifting toward building robust networks, gaining hands-on experience, and pursuing personalized education paths that cater to individual goals and career aspirations. By leveraging trade schools, certifications, mentorships, and online platforms, young people have more opportunities than ever to carve their unique paths to success.

This paradigm shift not only opens up new avenues for professional growth but also allows individuals to enter the workforce with less debt, more relevant skills, and a stronger sense of purpose. For those willing to take initiative and embrace nontraditional routes, the possibilities are endless. By viewing these alternatives as legitimate and viable, we can redefine the meaning of career preparation and inspire the next generation to create fulfilling, successful lives on their own terms. The key lies in embracing change, remaining adaptable, and recognizing that the journey to success is no longer limited to a single path.

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Skipping College: The New Playbook for Successful Careers Without College

by | Dec 26, 2024 | Future of Education

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: The Canyon Ferry Disaster

Built in 1954, the Canyon Ferry Dam has stood as an engineering marvel, powering over 100,000 homes.

Modern civilization is built on precision, innovation, and control—but when one failure occurs in an interconnected system, the consequences can be unstoppable. The Canyon Ferry Disaster is more than a catastrophe; it is a cautionary tale of how a single breach can unravel decades of progress, setting off a chain reaction of destruction that no one can stop.
What began as a fracture in one dam quickly escalated into the largest infrastructure collapse in American history. One after another, dams crumbled, rivers swelled beyond control, and cities vanished beneath an unrelenting flood. The Missouri River, once a lifeline for millions, became a weapon of mass destruction, leaving entire states submerged and the nation in chaos.

This is not just the story of a disaster—it is the story of how fragile our modern world truly is. This account will trace the slow-motion nightmare that unfolded over twelve days, the desperate evacuations, and the lessons we must learn to ensure this never happens again. Because if history has taught us anything, it is this: when the first dam breaks, the clock starts ticking.

1. Setting the Stage: A Calm Before the Chaos

The Missouri River glides silently beneath the warm glow of an early spring sunset, its surface undisturbed, almost tranquil. The vast Canyon Ferry Reservoir stretches to the horizon, a colossal body of water swollen to its limits by the seasonal snowmelt. Beneath its smooth facade, 134 billion cubic feet of water press against the towering Canyon Ferry Dam, a monolith of stone and steel standing guard over Montana’s rugged landscape.

Built in 1954, the dam is more than just an engineering marvel—it is a lifeline. Its hydroelectric turbines provide power to over 100,000 homes, its waters irrigate thousands of acres of farmland, and its reservoir draws boaters, anglers, and campers seeking escape into Montana’s wilderness. At 210 feet high and 3,280 feet long, it is a sentinel of progress, a testament to mankind’s ability to tame nature’s fury.

But below the surface, unseen and unforgiving forces are at play.

Downstream, the Missouri River winds its way through a chain of dams, each a critical link in the region’s infrastructure. The Hauser Dam, just 14 miles away, holds 5 billion cubic feet of water in check. Farther down, 30 miles from Canyon Ferry, the Holter Dam contains another 12 billion cubic feet. Together, these structures balance power and control, protecting Helena, Great Falls, and dozens of smaller communities nestled along the riverbanks.

Beyond them, the Missouri River Basin sprawls across the heartland, home to over 2.5 million people who depend on its waters for drinking, industry, and agriculture. While only a fraction of them live within the immediate floodplain, a catastrophic failure here would send shockwaves across the Midwest, disrupting power grids, supply chains, and entire economies.

Yet, on this serene evening, there are no warnings, no sirens—only a quiet, uneasy stillness. A handful of anglers cast their lines into the glassy waters, unaware that history is about to change.

Because at this very moment, a plan is in motion. A deliberate act of destruction has been set into place—one designed to exploit the river at its most vulnerable. The conspirators know the stakes. They understand the chain reaction that a single breach will unleash. And they know that within hours, this calm reservoir will become an unstoppable force of devastation.

For now, the only sounds are the splash of fish breaking the surface and the soft rustling of wind through the pines. The Canyon Ferry Dam stands, silent and unyielding.

But not for long.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: The Prelude to Destruction

The Canyon Ferry Reservoir has long been a hidden gem tucked into the mountains of Montana.

2. The Prelude to Destruction

Dressed in unremarkable fishing gear, two men unload a motorized raft on the quiet eastern edge of the Canyon Ferry Reservoir. To an untrained observer, they appear to be ordinary fishermen, blending seamlessly into the tranquil surroundings. But their actions—subtle, deliberate—betray their true intent. Weighted backpacks filled with explosives, carefully constructed to withstand the pressure and turbulence of deep water, are lowered into the raft. The payload, consisting of seven interconnected explosive packs, is designed to deliver a synchronized detonation capable of breaching even the most robust dam structures.

The dam's spillway—its Achilles' heel—is their target. The Canyon Ferry Dam, holding back 134 billion cubic feet of water, stands as a critical point in the Missouri River’s intricate hydrological system. A breach here would unleash catastrophic downstream consequences. The Hauser Dam, 14 miles downstream and containing 5 billion cubic feet of water, would likely fail within hours. Holter Dam, located 30 miles from Canyon Ferry and holding 12 billion cubic feet, would inevitably collapse under the combined pressure. Together, these three dams control the flow of water through a basin that directly supports over 300,000 residents in Montana while indirectly impacting millions across the Midwest.

Under the cover of nightfall, the perpetrators navigate their raft with care, steering away from any prying eyes or patrol boats. The reservoir, spanning 10 miles, offers them plenty of space to operate in relative isolation. As they approach the dam’s spillway—a point they meticulously identified as the structural weak spot—they move with precision.

Their explosives are tethered along a cable designed to span the height of the dam’s foundation. Each pack is carefully positioned at calculated depths to maximize the impact of the detonation, ensuring that the initial blast will penetrate the earth and concrete barrier holding back the massive reservoir. The tether is anchored securely to the spillway wall, and the waterproof timers are activated. The countdown begins, set to deliver devastation at precisely 12:02 a.m.

The two men work in silence, their practiced efficiency reflecting months of planning. They know the stakes: a breach at Canyon Ferry will initiate a chain reaction, leading to the catastrophic failure of dams further downstream. As they finish their task, the duo vanishes into the surrounding wilderness, leaving no trace of their presence.
This single act sets the stage for a disaster that will reshape the lives of millions. Helena, the state capital located 23 miles from Canyon Ferry, is home to over 30,000 residents who rely on the dam for water, power, and flood control. Beyond Helena, the floodwaters will race toward Great Falls, a city of 58,000, and eventually to the broader Midwest, where the economic and human toll will be felt by millions.

By midnight, the tranquility of the Montana night will give way to an engineered catastrophe as the first moments of destruction begin to unfold.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: Emergency Crews Mobilize

At precisely 12:02 am, the stillness of the Montana night is shattered.

3.) The Midnight Call: Emergency Crews Mobilize

At precisely 12:02 a.m., the stillness of the Montana night is shattered. A deep, concussive explosion rips through the base of Canyon Ferry Dam, sending shockwaves through the massive concrete structure. The once-unyielding wall of reinforced concrete and earth buckles, and within seconds, a catastrophic breach opens.

The reservoir, swollen with 134 billion cubic feet of water, unleashes its fury, carving a violent new channel through the canyon walls. A roaring, frothing wave surges downstream at over 30 mph, erasing roads, bridges, and homes in its path.

The Midnight Alarm: Emergency Crews Awaken

Within minutes of the explosion, emergency dispatch centers across Montana light up with frantic calls.

  • Montana Highway Patrol officers jolt awake to the shrill ring of their radios, orders crackling through the speakers:
    “Evacuate all communities along the Missouri River. The dam is gone.”
  • Firehouses scramble to respond, their crews grabbing gear in a blur of movement as sirens scream through sleeping towns.
  • National Guard units, roused from their beds, are ordered to immediate deployment, their convoys speeding toward the rising disaster.

The news spreads in waves of disbelief and urgency.

  • Dispatchers struggle to relay information, overwhelmed by a flood of 911 calls from terrified residents.
  • Mayors and emergency coordinators in Helena, Great Falls, and beyond are jolted awake by emergency briefings—what they hear defies belief.
  • Hospitals activate mass casualty protocols, clearing emergency rooms for an influx of injured evacuees.

As the first reports filter in—Canyon Ferry is gone, Hauser is failing, Holter is next—one thing becomes clear: this is no localized disaster. This is a national catastrophe in motion.

The First Domino: Hauser and Holter Collapse

By 12:30 a.m., emergency responders in Townsend, East Helena, and Helena are already in the streets, pounding on doors, screaming at people to evacuate. But the flood moves faster than they can warn.

  • The Hauser Dam, just 14 miles downstream, is overwhelmed within 45 minutes. The 5 billion cubic feet of water behind it surges free, adding fuel to the already unstoppable wave.
  • By 2:00 a.m., Holter Dam (holding 12 billion cubic feet) collapses, its concrete walls buckling under the relentless force.

The Missouri River has now doubled in volume, multiplying its destructive power with each collapse.

A Night of Chaos: Emergency Crews Race Against Time

With every hour that passes, the flood picks up speed, debris, and lives.

  • State troopers in helicopters broadcast evacuation orders over loudspeakers, their voices barely audible over the roaring flood.
  • Firefighters and medics stage along higher ground, awaiting the injured—but knowing their numbers will quickly overwhelm resources.
  • National Guard engineers race to reinforce bridges and levees, but it’s already too late for many.

The entire state of Montana is now in a state of emergency.

Great Falls: The Next City in Line

Located 75 miles downstream, Great Falls (population 58,000) braces for the inevitable. The Missouri River is now a runaway force of destruction, fed by three dam failures.

  • At 4:30 a.m., city sirens wail, warning of the incoming wall of water.
  • Military helicopters circle above, lighting up the darkness with searchlights as they pull stranded residents from rooftops.
  • Highway patrol officers form human chains, dragging people from stalled vehicles on submerged highways.

The Missouri River is no longer a river—it is a weapon, carrying the flood toward even more densely populated regions.

Dawn Brings a Grim Reality

By 6:00 a.m., the rising sun reveals a transformed landscape. The waters now stretch for miles beyond the riverbanks, swallowing entire towns like an advancing ocean.

  • Over 500,000 residents across the Missouri River Basin are without power, clean water, or escape routes.
  • Railroads, highways, and supply chains are severed, cutting off vital aid to affected areas.
  • Rescue crews, exhausted and overwhelmed, begin marking buildings with spray paint, signaling where survivors have been found—and where bodies remain.

The nation wakes up to the biggest disaster in modern American history—and it is only just beginning.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: The Cascading Failure of Missouri River Dams

Over the coming days, over 300 bridges will be destroyed!.

4. The Domino Effect: From Montana to the Midwest

The Cascading Failure of Missouri River Dams

As the breach at Canyon Ferry Dam unleashes 134 billion cubic feet of water, a deadly chain reaction begins, overwhelming the Missouri River’s system of dams and reservoirs. The surging flood quickly overcomes the Hauser Dam (14 miles downstream, holding 5 billion cubic feet) and then slams into the Holter Dam (another 15 miles downstream, containing 12 billion cubic feet). Each failure amplifies the flood’s destructive force, accelerating its deadly march across Montana.

Yet, this is just the beginning. The water, now a roaring deluge of over 150 billion cubic feet, is propelled downstream by the Missouri River’s rapid elevation drop—a geographical feature that turns a disaster into a catastrophe.

From Canyon Ferry to Fort Peck Dam, the Missouri River plunges more than 1,000 feet in elevation over a 300-mile stretch. This steep decline transforms the flood into a fast-moving torrent, exponentially increasing its power. The river, normally controlled by a series of hydroelectric projects, is now an unchecked, relentless force.

The Final Stand: Fort Peck Dam

Located nearly 300 miles northeast of Canyon Ferry, Fort Peck Dam is the largest dam on the Missouri River and one of the most massive earthen dams in the world. Completed in 1940, it stands 250 feet high and 21,026 feet long, forming the Fort Peck Reservoir, which stretches 134 miles and holds an astonishing 19 million acre-feet (825 billion cubic feet) of water. This dam plays a critical role in regulating the Missouri River’s flow and preventing catastrophic floods.

But as the floodstorm barrels toward Fort Peck, engineers at the dam realize the terrifying reality: the dam’s current outflow system cannot release water fast enough to compensate for the incoming surge. Fort Peck is already at near-capacity from spring runoff, and with the combined floodwaters from Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter, the reservoir’s levels begin to rise at a staggering rate.

At 10:45 a.m., the reservoir has exceeded emergency spillway levels. The earthen dam, never designed to withstand such an overwhelming surge, starts showing signs of structural failure. Engineers scramble to increase controlled releases, but it’s futile.

By 11:12 a.m., a massive section of Fort Peck’s earthen embankment gives way. Within minutes, the entire eastern section collapses, sending a 150-foot-high wall of water racing downstream at over 30 mph.

The Cataclysm Unleashed

With Fort Peck’s 825 billion cubic feet of water now joining the flood, the torrent has become an unstoppable inland tsunami, moving relentlessly toward Garrison Dam in North Dakota. The elevation drop between Fort Peck and Garrison spans over 300 feet, adding even more momentum to the water’s deadly charge.

By 3:30 p.m., the Garrison Dam, one of the largest hydroelectric facilities in the U.S., collapses under the onslaught. This final breach sends a surge of over 2.5 trillion cubic feet of water cascading down the Missouri River, obliterating towns, cities, and infrastructure across Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the Midwest.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: The Slow March of Disaster

While most people have been warned to evacuate, the destruction of property is unfathomable.

5.) The Slow March of Disaster: A Nation Watches in Horror

By daylight, the unstoppable wall of water has already consumed much of Montana and North Dakota, and now it creeps—agonizingly slow yet inescapable—toward the heart of the Midwest. The disaster does not strike all at once. Instead, it unfolds in slow motion, a grinding inevitability that emergency crews and news helicopters track in real time, broadcasting the destruction hour by hour to a stunned nation.

Bismarck Overwhelmed: The Water Rises, and Hope Fades

From the air, Bismarck looks like a city under siege by nature itself. The once-mighty Missouri River has swollen to five times its normal width, and levees that held through the night are now visibly bulging, crumbling, then failing altogether.

Helicopters hover over the stranded residents, capturing footage of entire neighborhoods gradually vanishing beneath the encroaching flood. The footage is surreal—people wading through waist-deep water, clutching their children and whatever belongings they can carry.

On the ground, emergency responders battle exhaustion as they ferry stranded families to safety in boats. Some neighborhoods are completely cut off, leaving rescue crews to make impossible choices about who to evacuate first.

  • Bismarck’s flood stage is typically 16 feet, but by noon, the water has risen past 35 feet—and it keeps climbing.
  • Highway 83, the last major evacuation route, is swallowed in slow motion.
  • National Guard troops coordinate rooftop rescues while power stations spark and fail.

The collapse of Garrison Dam upstream means that Bismarck’s fate is sealed—the city will not be spared. Residents flee to higher ground, watching their homes become part of the ever-widening floodplain.

Oahe Dam Teeters on the Brink: The Clock Runs Out

Further downstream, Pierre, South Dakota, waits in agonizing silence. Residents have been watching the rising water for days, knowing the Oahe Dam stands between them and annihilation.

Live news feeds capture the moment the colossal structure gives way. At 9:40 a.m., an earthen section of the dam cracks, buckles, then collapses. The dam’s 102 billion cubic feet of water explode outward, sending a new tidal wave racing toward South Dakota’s capital.

From above, helicopters capture the moment the surge hits downtown Pierre. Streets become rivers, cars float like toys, and entire buildings dislodge and drift away. The bridge spanning the Missouri River collapses, cutting off all hope of escape for those still trapped on the wrong side.

  • Pierre’s population of 14,000 has less than 30 minutes before the entire city is underwater.
  • The flood, now carrying the force of three dam failures, picks up even more speed as it descends into South Dakota.
  • Livestock in nearby fields struggle in the churning water, helpless as their pastures become part of the widening disaster.

Sioux City: The Evacuation Race Against Time

As the water thunders southward, Sioux City, Iowa, watches and waits, its people glued to live updates of Pierre’s destruction. They know they are next.

The city’s levees, reinforced only hours earlier, are now visibly weakening. Military convoys rush thousands toward higher ground, but the roads are choked with traffic, a slow-moving panic.

By mid-afternoon, the inevitable happens—the Missouri River breaks through. The flood arrives not as a single towering wave, but as a relentless surge, rising inch by inch until the entire city is drowning.

  • Families abandon vehicles on flooded highways, scrambling for higher overpasses.
  • Shelters overflow as tens of thousands are displaced.
  • A power station explodes in a shower of sparks, plunging half the city into darkness.

Final Thoughts - A Pill for Humanity’s Future

The Canyon Ferry Disaster is more than a tragedy—it is a warning. A single point of failure unraveled the entire Missouri River Basin, leaving millions displaced and the heartland in ruins. The disaster underscores the fragility of our systems and the urgent need for innovation, resilience, and vigilance.

As communities embark on the long road to recovery, one truth is clear: we must redesign our world to prevent such catastrophic chain reactions from ever happening again. The lessons of this tragedy must shape the future, ensuring that our civilization does not crumble under the weight of its own complexity.

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Book Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey