Understanding How Post-COVID Startups are Different
Launching a startup is never easy, but it’s become even more complicated in the post-COVID era!
The post-pandemic era has catalyzed a transformative wave across the startup ecosystem, unveiling new norms, challenges, and opportunities. As the global business terrain continues to evolve in response to the lasting impacts of COVID-19, understanding how post-COVID startups stand out in their approach is critical. These organizations are not just remnants of a crisis; they are trailblazers in a new world where adaptability, digital prowess, and resilience form the backbone of their operational ethos. The hallmarks that define them—agility, robust digital presence, remote work infrastructure, focus on well-being, supply chain resilience, customer experience, sustainability, and innovation—are more than mere buzzwords; they are the lifelines that sustain their competitive edge.
Amidst this backdrop, post-COVID startups also face a labyrinth of perils that were less pronounced before. The economic unpredictability, shifts in consumer behavior, operational disruptions, cybersecurity threats, and the new paradigms of work models present a crucible within which these nascent entities must forge their path to success. Skills that were once peripheral have now ascended to paramount importance, reshaping the very fabric of the workforce. The digital literacy, remote team management, adaptability, resilience, cybersecurity acumen, emotional intelligence, e-commerce expertise, and compliance know-how are the new arsenal for the modern-day professional. As we delve into the tapestry of today’s startup landscape, we unravel the threads of change that bind the current entrepreneurial spirit.
Attributes and Characteristics
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a seismic shift in the business landscape, accelerating changes in consumer behavior, work arrangements, and digital transformation. Successful post-covid businesses have adapted to these changes by developing characteristics that were either nonexistent or less emphasized in the pre-covid era. Here are eight such characteristics:
Agility and Flexibility:
The ability to pivot quickly in response to changing market conditions or consumer behaviors has become crucial. Post-covid businesses thrive on their capacity to adapt their products, services, and business models rapidly.
Robust Digital Presence:
An effective, comprehensive digital strategy is now a cornerstone for success. This goes beyond having a website or social media presence to integrating e-commerce capabilities, digital marketing, and the use of data analytics to understand and predict customer behavior.
Remote Work Infrastructure:
Successful businesses have embraced remote or hybrid work models, investing in the technology and culture needed to support productive, flexible work environments. This has also expanded their talent pool beyond geographical limitations.
Focus on Employee Well-being:
There’s a greater emphasis on mental health, work-life balance, and overall employee well-being. Companies are implementing programs and policies to support their employees’ health and happiness, recognizing this as key to retaining talent and maintaining high productivity levels.
Supply Chain Resilience:
The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in global supply chains. Businesses that have succeeded post-COVID have made their supply chains more resilient through diversification, digitalization, and sometimes localizing or regionalizing their supply sources.
Enhanced Customer Experience:
There’s a heightened focus on providing a seamless, personalized customer experience across all channels. Businesses are leveraging technology to offer more personalized services and support, along with flexible purchasing and delivery options.
Sustainability and Social Responsibility:
Consumers have become more conscious of environmental and social issues. Successful businesses are those that incorporate sustainability into their operations and products and engage in socially responsible practices, recognizing these as drivers of customer loyalty and brand strength.
Innovative Mindset:
Lastly, a culture of innovation has become more pronounced. This involves not just technological innovation but also creative approaches to business models, customer engagement, and problem-solving. Continuous innovation is seen as key to staying relevant and competitive in a rapidly changing world.
These characteristics reflect a broader shift towards more resilient, adaptable, and customer-centric business practices, driven by technological advancements and changing societal expectations.

Next-generation product design businesses will reinvent the nature of startups!
Post-COVID Dangers That Startups Face
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, startups are navigating a transformed business landscape fraught with new challenges. From economic volatility to the accelerated need for digital transformation, these enterprises must recognize and tackle an array of post-pandemic dangers to secure their foothold in a rapidly evolving market.
1. Economic Uncertainty:
The post-COVID economy is characterized by unpredictability, with fluctuating consumer demand, investment trends, and the potential for further lockdowns or restrictions, all of which can impact a startup’s survivability.
2. Shifts in Consumer Behavior:
Consumers may have permanently changed their behavior in ways that affect startups, such as increased preference for online services over brick-and-mortar businesses.
3. Operational Disruptions:
Supply chain issues continue to present challenges, including delays and increased costs, which can be particularly difficult for startups to navigate due to their limited resources.
4. Talent Acquisition and Retention:
The shift to remote work has expanded the talent pool but also increased competition for top talent. Startups may struggle to attract and retain employees against more established companies offering remote work options.
5. Cybersecurity Threats:
With the increase in remote work and digital transactions, startups are more vulnerable to cyberattacks and must invest in robust cybersecurity measures.
6. Changing Work Models:
Startups have to adapt to new work models and expectations from employees who may demand flexibility, remote work options, and a better work-life balance.
7. Health and Safety Obligations:
Startups must adhere to ongoing health and safety considerations related to COVID-19, which can be complex and costly.
8. Access to Capital:
The economic aftermath of the pandemic has caused some investors to be more cautious, potentially making it harder for startups to secure funding.
Navigating these dangers requires startups to be agile, resilient, and innovative, often operating with lean principles and a clear understanding of their market and operational capabilities.
Skill Shifts
The post-COVID world has altered the business landscape, leading to a shift in the skills that are considered highly valuable. Here are eight skills that have gained particular importance for professionals in post-covid startups:
1. Digital Literacy:
Proficiency with digital tools and platforms is crucial as businesses rely more on digital channels for sales, marketing, and operations.
2. Data Analytics:
The ability to interpret and leverage data to drive decisions has become critical, especially with the increased online consumer interactions and transactions.
3. Remote Team Management:
Skills in managing distributed teams effectively, including maintaining productivity and team cohesion in a virtual environment, are in high demand.
4. Adaptability and Resilience:
The capacity to adapt to rapid changes and bounce back from setbacks has become essential for navigating the uncertainties of the post-COVID market.
5. Cybersecurity:
With the rise in remote work and digital transactions, the ability to protect against and respond to cyber threats is increasingly valuable.
6. Emotional Intelligence:
The ability to be aware of, control, and express one’s emotions, and handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically, is key, especially when managing teams and customer relations remotely.
7. E-commerce:
Skills in developing and managing online sales platforms are more valuable as consumer buying habits continue to shift towards online shopping.
8. Health and Safety Regulation Compliance:
Knowledge of health and workplace safety regulations, including those specific to pandemics, is crucial for ensuring business continuity and employee welfare.
Professionals who possess these skills are likely to be in high demand as startups look to navigate the post-pandemic business environment successfully.

As technologies change, so do the skill sets required to launch new businesses!
Change in Hiring Positions
In response to the changing business landscape due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new roles have been created to address emerging needs and opportunities. Here are eight job titles that have gained demand in post-covid startups that either didn’t exist or were rare before:1. Remote Workforce Coordinator:
A specialist responsible for overseeing and optimizing the experience of remote employees, including the implementation of tools and processes for effective remote work.2. Chief Hygiene Officer (CHO):
A position created to ensure workplaces meet new health and sanitation standards, often integrating public health knowledge into corporate strategy.3. Virtual Event Strategist:
An expert in planning and executing virtual events, which have become a mainstay for corporate gatherings, product launches, and conferences.4. Digital Health Consultant:
Professionals who specialize in telehealth services, digital health platforms, and the integration of healthcare into digital environments.5. E-commerce Personalization Manager:
A role focused on creating personalized online shopping experiences through data analytics and machine learning to increase consumer engagement and sales.6. Contactless Technology Developer:
An engineer or software developer specializing in technologies that support contactless interactions, such as payments, ticketing, and identification systems.7. Cybersecurity Hygienist:
An IT professional dedicated to implementing best practices for digital hygiene to protect against the rise in cyber threats, especially for remote work environments.8. Mental Wellness Facilitator:
A position that focuses on employee well-being, including the development and management of programs aimed at supporting mental health in the workplace. These job titles reflect how startups are adapting to new business models and consumer needs, which have shifted significantly due to the global pandemic.
Many post-COVID merging technologies will allow single-person startups to thrive!
Emerging Technologies
The post-covid world has seen the acceleration and emergence of various technologies, many of which are being leveraged by startups for competitive advantage. Here are eight emerging technologies that post-covid startups have access to, which were either not available or not as advanced for pre-COVID startups:1. Advanced Teleconferencing Platforms:
Enhanced with AI for better connectivity and interaction, these platforms offer features like background noise cancellation, real-time language translation, and virtual meeting rooms that mimic real-life interactions.2. 5G Connectivity:
The rollout of 5G technology offers significantly faster data speeds and more reliable connections, enabling startups to develop and deploy advanced mobile applications, IoT devices, and services that were previously constrained by bandwidth limitations.3. AI-Powered Business Intelligence Tools:
These tools have become more sophisticated, providing startups with the ability to gain deep insights into customer behavior, market trends, and operational efficiencies, often with predictive capabilities.4. Quantum Computing Services:
With the advent of cloud-based quantum computing services, startups now have access to unprecedented computational power, which can drive breakthroughs in fields like cryptography, materials science, and complex optimization problems.5. Contactless Interfaces:
COVID-19 has pushed forward contactless technologies, including NFC, RFID, and sensor-based interactions, which are being used in a variety of applications from payments to health monitoring.6. Low-Code/No-Code Platforms:
These platforms enable startups to develop applications quickly and with minimal coding expertise, democratizing app development and allowing for rapid prototyping and deployment.7. Biotechnology Advances:
Recent developments in biotech, particularly mRNA vaccine technology, CRISPR gene editing, and rapid testing kits, have opened new avenues for startups in healthcare and related fields.8. Edge Computing:
This technology processes data closer to where it is generated (at the “edge” of the network, near the source of data), reducing latency and enabling real-time data processing for applications like autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and IoT. Each of these technologies offers startups the potential to innovate and disrupt existing markets or create entirely new ones, reflecting the evolving technological landscape of the post-pandemic era.
Typical startup business meeting!
Examples of Successful Post-COVID Startups
There have been many startups that emerged successfully in the post-COVID environment, capitalizing on the shift in consumer behavior and business operations. Here are eight examples of startups that were recognized for their innovation and success in the new normal:
1. Hopin:
An online events platform that allows organizers to create virtual and hybrid conferences, which has grown significantly as events moved online due to the pandemic.
2. Cue Health:
A health technology company that provides rapid, portable COVID-19 testing devices, which became essential during the pandemic and continues to be used for quick diagnostics.
3. Zipline:
A drone delivery service that expanded its operations during the pandemic, delivering medical supplies and vaccines to remote areas.
4. Outschool:
An educational platform that offers a variety of interactive online classes for K-12 learners. The demand for online learning solutions surged when schools were closed during lockdowns.
5. Gorillas:
A grocery delivery startup that promises to deliver groceries in as little as 10 minutes, meeting the increased demand for home delivery services during and after the pandemic.
6. BetterUp:
A platform that provides virtual coaching, mental health, and professional development services, which saw increased demand as companies invested more in employee well-being during the pandemic.
7. Tessian:
A cybersecurity company that focuses on protecting people from threats like phishing, which became even more crucial as the workforce shifted to remote work.
8. NotCo:
A food-tech startup using AI to create plant-based alternatives to animal products, capitalizing on the increased consumer interest in health and sustainability that was amplified during the pandemic.
These startups have thrived by addressing the challenges posed by the pandemic, showcasing adaptability, and often benefiting from accelerated digital transformation across various sectors.
8 Key Factors That a StartUp Today Should Focus On
For startups in today’s fast-paced and uncertain environment, focusing on certain key factors can help ensure success. Here are eight essential aspects that startups should prioritize:
1. Customer-Centricity:
Startups should deeply understand their target customers’ pain points, preferences, and behaviors to create products and services that provide real value.
2. Agility and Adaptability:
The ability to pivot quickly in response to market feedback, technological advancements, and changing economic conditions is critical.
3. Financial Management:
Efficient capital allocation and maintaining a lean operation can extend a startup’s runway and enable it to scale more sustainably.
4. Talent Acquisition and Retention:
Attracting and retaining the right talent is crucial. This involves not only hiring skilled professionals but also fostering a culture that encourages innovation and collaboration.
5. Digital Transformation:
Embracing digital technologies to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and create new value propositions is vital in the modern business landscape.
6. Data-Driven Decision Making:
Leveraging data analytics for strategic decisions can give startups a competitive edge by identifying trends, optimizing operations, and personalizing customer engagement.
7. Scalability:
Building scalable business processes and systems from the start can allow for smoother growth as the startup expands.
8. Compliance and Cybersecurity:
Ensuring data privacy, security compliance, and protection against cyber threats is crucial to maintain trust and avoid potentially crippling legal and financial consequences.
By focusing on these factors, startups can build a strong foundation for growth and navigate the challenges of the post-COVID business environment.

Launching a startup in the post-COVID world will require new skills, new tech, and a new mindset!
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on the seismic shifts that have rippled through the world of startups in the post-COVID era, a clear pattern emerges: transformation is not only inevitable but essential. The attributes and strategies that have propelled these startups to success in uncertain times are a testament to the indomitable human spirit and its capacity for innovation. These organizations have not merely weathered the storm; they have learned to harness its power, riding the winds of change to new heights. They serve as beacons to future entrepreneurs, illuminating the path through flexibility, digital integration, and an unwavering commitment to humanity—be it through employee well-being, customer satisfaction, or societal impact. The journey ahead, while brimming with potential, is fraught with challenges that demand vigilance, creativity, and perseverance. The lessons learned in this crucible moment must not be forgotten. Instead, they should be the guiding principles for startups as they forge ahead in the post-pandemic landscape. As we close this chapter, we look toward a horizon teeming with possibility, where the convergence of technology, empathy, and resilience will define the vanguard of a new entrepreneurial age. The post-covid startup world is not just about surviving; it’s about thriving, adapting, and emerging stronger, together. The future is not written—it is built, and it beckons with open arms to those daring enough to embrace it.Understanding How Post-COVID Startups are Different
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.
Your insights into the business world that we live in now are useful, thank you. And I would agree that changes in consumer behavior have driven many of the changes you highlighted above.