Seconds From Disaster Season 1 Episode 11 Flood at Stava Dam

On the 19th of July 1985, the small town of Tesero in the Italian Alps was hit by a deadly flood. The cause of the disaster was the collapse of the Stava Dam, which held back a reservoir of toxic waste from a nearby quarry. In less than an hour, a wall of water 150 feet high and as fast as a bullet wiped out two villages and killed 268 people, including workers at the plant and local residents.

This catastrophic event occurred due to a series of errors and miscalculations that started during the construction of the dam in the late 1950s. The Stava Dam was intended to provide hydroelectric power and control the seasonal floods of the River Avisio. However, the geological properties of the site and the weak cement used in the construction made the dam prone to leakage and instability.

During the episode, experts and eyewitnesses recount the events leading up to the disaster and the aftermath of the flood. The show uses a mix of CGI models, archival footage, and interviews to bring the story to life.

One factor that played a significant role in the collapse of the dam was the decision to use the lakebed sediments as the foundation of the structure. The soft and permeable terrain made the dam susceptible to leaks and erosion, and the engineers failed to recognize the severity of the problem. Despite the initial signs of instability, the dam was raised by ten feet in the 1960s to increase its capacity, exacerbating the stress on the already weakened structure.

Another contributing factor was the storage of toxic waste in a basin near the dam. The sludge was a byproduct of a marble quarry and contained heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and other pollutants. Over time, the basin filled up, and the operators were forced to expand its capacity by raising the dam's height. This move increased the weight and pressure on the structure, pushing it closer to the tipping point.

As the reservoir reached its full capacity on the day of the disaster, a small leak developed in the dam's wall. The workers on site tried to plug the hole with sandbags, but the pressure from the water was too high. Within minutes, a section of the dam gave way, releasing a massive wave of waste and water downstream.

The episode details the harrowing experiences of the survivors caught in the flood's path. Many tried to escape on foot or by car, but the speed and force of the water made it impossible. Some managed to cling to trees or debris, but many were swept away, never to be found. In the aftermath of the disaster, the rescue and recovery efforts were hampered by the remoteness of the area, the lack of resources, and the uncertainty of the terrain.

The show also explores the aftermath of the disaster and the efforts to hold those responsible accountable. The survivors and the families of the victims filed lawsuits against the operators and the owners of the dam, claiming negligence and lack of oversight. The legal battle lasted for more than a decade, and the verdicts varied in severity and compensation.

Overall, the Flood at Stava Dam episode of Seconds from Disaster is a riveting and informative account of a tragic event that could have been prevented. It highlights the importance of sound engineering practices, environmental awareness, and human accountability in ensuring the safety of our infrastructure and communities.