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The Rise of the “New Collar” Workforce

by | Feb 8, 2024 | Future of Work

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: The Rise of the “New Collar” Workforce

The Power of an Idea

In the closing months of 2016, a novel term began to echo through the corridors of the tech industry, heralding a significant shift in the employment landscape. Coined by Ginni Rometty, IBM’s then-CEO, “new collar” entered the lexicon, encapsulating a burgeoning trend that sought to redefine professional success. Rometty’s advocacy shone a light on the transformative nature of the labor market, drawing attention to an emerging breed of jobs that prized skill and capability over the pedigree of a traditional college education.

At the heart of this movement are the new collar workers, a burgeoning demographic in today’s labor force. These individuals break the mold, having honed their technical abilities and practical know-how through avenues far removed from the ivy-clad walls of academia. From the digital classrooms of online courses to the intense, focused training of vocational bootcamps, these workers are carving out their niches. Apprenticeships, on-the-job training, and self-directed learning are their tools, crafting a skillset that perfectly fits the contours of contemporary industries like IT, cybersecurity, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.

The rise of the new collar worker marks a departure from the traditional dichotomy of the professional landscape, where white-collar workers sat on one side with their managerial and professional roles, and blue-collar workers stood on the other, representing manual labor. Today’s economy doesn’t just blur these lines; it redraws them entirely. New collar jobs meld the physical and the intellectual, infusing the hands-on approach of blue-collar positions with the analytical acumen typically reserved for their white-collar counterparts.

This evolution in job classification reflects a deeper current sweeping the labor market, a tide that prioritizes the tangible and practical aspects of knowledge over the formality of degrees. It’s a shift that acknowledges the role of technology in reshaping what it means to be work-ready and what it means to be successful in the digital age.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: The Driving Forces Behind the New Collar Movement

The pace of business is demanding a new breed of professionals equipped with specialized skills often acquired outside the confines of conventional degree programs.

The Driving Forces Behind the New Collar Movement

The emergence of the new collar workforce is no happenstance; it’s the result of powerful currents reshaping the landscape of work and education. Understanding these forces is key to grasping the full impact of this transformative trend.

Technological Advancements: The New Frontier

At the forefront is the relentless march of technology, with AI leading the charge. The effect of AI on the job market is twofold: it not only automates routine tasks but also forges new sectors demanding expertise that traditional educational institutions struggle to provide. This rapid technological evolution is creating roles that are as novel as they are niche, necessitating a breed of professionals equipped with specialized skills often acquired outside the confines of conventional degree programs.

The Educational Evolution: Adapting to a New Reality

Educational models are swiftly pivoting in response to the soaring need for specialized technical skills. The landscape is shifting from the traditional, degree-centric approach to a more nimble, skills-focused paradigm. Online learning platforms, micro-credentialing, and industry-specific certifications are stepping into the breach, offering the flexibility and specialized training that traditional academic pathways often lack. This shift is not merely a trend; it’s a response to the real-world demands of industries racing to keep up with the pace of innovation.

Economic Imperatives: The Cost of Competitiveness

Economic considerations are also significant catalysts for the new collar movement. In an era where technological agility is synonymous with market survival, there’s a burgeoning need for a workforce that can pivot with the shifting technological and economic sands. Organizations are on the hunt for cost-effective strategies to cultivate talent, increasingly leaning towards in-house training programs that can swiftly bring employees up to speed on the latest technologies. This approach to talent development provides a practical, financially prudent alternative to the steep investment in traditional education that has long been the default recruitment filter.

Together, these forces are not just driving the new collar movement; they’re redefining what it means to be employable and successful in a rapidly transforming economy. It’s a movement that is as much about the changing identity of the workforce as it is about the broader evolution of society in the face of technological progress.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: Key Characteristics of New Collar Jobs

Employers are increasingly preferring candidates who can demonstrate their competencies through industry certifications, curated portfolios, and direct experience.

Key Characteristics of New Collar Jobs

The landscape of work has been altered irrevocably by the advent of new collar jobs, with certain attributes distinguishing them from traditional roles. Understanding these characteristics is essential for both job seekers and employers navigating this new terrain.

Prioritizing Skillsets: A Practical Approach

Central to the ethos of new collar jobs is prioritizing practical skills over academic degrees. These roles are defined less by the diplomas candidates hold and more by their capacity to tackle the tasks at hand effectively. Employers increasingly value candidates who can demonstrate their competencies, often through industry certifications, curated portfolios, and direct experience. This shift represents a more pragmatic approach to hiring, focusing on what applicants can do rather than where they studied.

Synergy of Abilities: The Composite Professional

New collar roles often demand a blend of technical acumen and soft skills. Mastery of specific technical domains—such as programming, network security, or data analysis—is as crucial as solving problems, adapting to new situations, and communicating effectively. The interweaving of these hard and soft skills equips professionals with the versatility needed to navigate the rapidly shifting technological landscape and contributes to a well-rounded, resilient workforce.

The Vanguard Industries: Sectors in Transformation

Certain industries are particularly emblematic of the new collar revolution. Cybersecurity, data analytics, cloud computing, AI development, and healthcare are among the sectors leading the charge. They are marked by their swift growth and the constant evolution of their operational landscapes, which demand a workforce that is not only competent but also capable of evolving alongside continuous innovations. These industries exemplify the new collar ideal: a work environment where the ability to learn and adapt is as valuable as the expertise one brings to the table.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: Pathways to Becoming a New Collar Worker

Apprenticeships are particularly valuable, providing real-world experience under the mentorship of seasoned professionals.

Pathways to Becoming a New Collar Worker

The journey to becoming a new collar worker is paved with a variety of educational and developmental paths, each catering to the evolving needs of modern industries and the individuals eager to navigate them.

Hands-On Education: Vocational Training and Apprenticeships

Vocational training centers and apprenticeship programs stand out as practical avenues for aspiring new collar workers. These pathways offer a focused education in specific trades and technical fields, pairing curriculum with hands-on application. Apprenticeships are particularly valuable, providing real-world experience under the mentorship of seasoned professionals. Through these channels, individuals can gain the job-specific expertise that is highly sought after in today’s market.

Tech-Intensive Learning: Coding Bootcamps and Online Courses

For those aiming to plunge into the digital realms of the new collar world, coding bootcamps and online courses present intensive and flexible learning options. Bootcamps are immersive, often short-term programs designed to impart specific digital skills rapidly. Online courses complement this by offering a breadth of learning opportunities accessible from anywhere, at any time. These educational routes are tailored for swift entry into tech-centric new collar roles.

Learning in the Trenches: On-the-Job Training and Mentorship Programs

A significant number of employers are investing in the future by providing on-the-job training programs, allowing employees to learn while they earn. This practical approach is frequently augmented by mentorship, where novices can draw on the wisdom and experience of experts in their field. This dual strategy benefits not only the employees, who grow their skill sets but also the employers, who cultivate a workforce capable of keeping stride with industry demands and innovations. This symbiotic process fosters a culture of continuous learning and professional development, fueling the growth of both the individual and the company.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: The Role of Employers in Cultivating New Collar Talent

The employment marketplace of today is in constant flux, underscoring the need for continuous learning and professional upskilling.

The Role of Employers in Cultivating New Collar Talent

Employers are not just the beneficiaries of the burgeoning new collar workforce but also its nurturers. Their role in shaping this new category of talent is pivotal and multifaceted.

Fostering Growth: Investment in Training and Development

A crucial aspect of cultivating new collar talent lies in the hands of employers through their commitment to training and development. By actively investing in workshops, specialized courses, and continuous education seminars, companies can arm their employees with the cutting-edge skills needed to thrive. This investment helps ensure that their teams are competitive and remain at the forefront of industry innovation.

Broadening Horizons: Creating Opportunities for Non-degree Holders

Progressive companies are shifting the employment paradigm by valuing skills and hands-on experience as much as, if not more than, traditional academic credentials. By opening their doors to skilled non-degree holders, they are expanding their talent pool and fostering a more diverse and inclusive work environment by opening their doors to skilled non-degree holders. This approach not only enriches the company culture but also strengthens the workforce by incorporating a wider range of perspectives and competencies.

The Lifelong Learning Ethos: Continuous Learning and Upskilling

The marketplace of today is in constant flux, underscoring the necessity for continuous learning and professional upskilling. Employers who instill a learning ethos within their organizations not only enhance their overall capabilities but also contribute significantly to employee engagement and retention. Demonstrating a commitment to the professional growth of their teams, these employers not only prepare their workforce for the current demands but also for the unforeseen challenges of the future.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: Challenges and Opportunities

The gap between the skills people have and those needed for the rapidly evolving tech landscape is widening.

Challenges and Opportunities

The new collar movement, while promising, faces its own set of challenges and presents unique opportunities. Addressing these effectively can pave the way for a more adaptive and innovative future.

Overcoming Educational Prejudice: A New Paradigm

One of the foremost challenges is dismantling the deep-seated stigma attached to non-traditional education paths. The entrenched belief that traditional four-year degrees are the only respectable route to a successful career persists, often casting a shadow over the effectiveness of vocational and skills-based training. Combatting this requires a societal and cultural shift that acknowledges the legitimacy and value of alternative educational routes as equally viable and esteemed.

Bridging the Skills Divide: Preparing for Tomorrow

The chasm between the skills people have and those needed for the rapidly evolving technological landscape is widening. This skills gap represents a critical challenge for both employers and educational institutions. A concerted effort to identify and address these gaps is imperative, ensuring the labor force stays abreast of the changing demands and is well-prepared for the emerging jobs of the future.

Harnessing Growth Potential: A Lever for Progress

The silver lining to these challenges lies in the vast potential for economic expansion and innovation that the new collar workforce represents. By embracing the diverse array of talents and skill sets that come from non-traditional educational backgrounds, industries stand to benefit from a more dynamic, inventive, and productive economic milieu. The inclusion of new collar talent is not just a nod to inclusivity; it’s a strategic advantage that can catalyze progress and spark a new wave of economic prosperity.

Futurist Speaker Thomas Frey Blog: The Future of New Collar Work

The new collar workforce holds the key to unlocking a new era of economic growth and innovation.

Final Thoughts: The Future of New Collar Work

The trajectory of the new collar movement is set against a backdrop of both formidable challenges and substantial opportunities. Its potential to revolutionize the workforce and stimulate economic innovation is immense, but realizing this potential demands concerted effort and a reimagining of entrenched norms.

Redefining Educational Success

At the crux of this movement is the need to dismantle longstanding biases towards traditional education. The perception that only four-year degrees equate to professional success and respectability is a barrier to the full acceptance and integration of vocational and skills-based education. To shift this paradigm, there must be a collective effort to celebrate and recognize the value of alternative learning pathways. Society, as a whole, needs to realign its understanding of what constitutes a valuable education, acknowledging that success is multifaceted and can be achieved through various avenues.

Closing the Skills Gap

As we march into the future, the disconnect between existing skills and those demanded by an increasingly digital economy becomes more pronounced. Bridging this skills gap is imperative. Employers, educational institutions, and policymakers must work in tandem to forecast future needs and develop curricula and training programs that are responsive to these projections. It’s not just about adapting to today’s requirements but also anticipating tomorrow’s challenges and preparing the workforce accordingly.

Leveraging New Collar Potential

The new collar workforce holds the key to unlocking a new era of economic growth and innovation. By embracing a workforce that includes those with non-traditional educational backgrounds, industries can harness a wealth of untapped talent and creativity. This is not merely an exercise in diversity and inclusion; it’s an economic imperative. In an age where adaptability and innovation are paramount, new collar workers can be the catalysts for change, driving forward progress and prosperity.

The Way Forward

Moving forward, the success of the new collar movement will largely depend on the collective will to embrace these changes and the collaborative efforts to address the challenges head-on. It will require a new mindset, one that values skills and practical experience as highly as academic credentials. For those ready to take on this challenge, the rewards promise to be transformative, for individuals and society alike. The future beckons with a promise of a more adaptive, skilled, and innovative workforce, ready to meet the demands of the new economic landscape that awaits.

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The Rise of the “New Collar” Workforce

by | Feb 8, 2024 | Future of Work

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