Cecil is Springfield's chief hydrological and hydrodynamical engineer, and he employs Bob to supervise the construction of a hydroelectric dam in a river near the town.

While searching Bob's trailer at the dam construction site, Bart and Lisa discover a briefcase full of cash.

When confronted with the money, Bob denies knowing about it, stating the finances were used to put concrete in the dam's walls.

Cecil attempts to swat him off with the briefcase, which falls open and scatters money over the river below, washing it away.

As the two dangle over the side of the dam, Bob cuts the cord on the dynamite to prevent Cecil from destroying the town.

[7] An early draft of the episode featured an opera house explosion,[5] though this was changed because the writers felt that using a dam would be more exciting.

[5] The writers spent a long time trying to figure out a civilization that considered chief hydrological engineering their true calling; they ultimately chose the Cappadocians, who were famous for underground cities, though not specifically dams.

[7] The mention of Arthur Fiedler's wake is an apparent reference to Frasier Crane's upper class Seattle lifestyle.

It was the fourth highest-rated show on Fox that week, following The X-Files, King of the Hill and Melrose Place.

[10] Beforehand, the media said the episode "look[ed] promising",[11] and afterwards journalist Ben Rayner called it one of director Peter Michels' "classics".

[13] In a 2008 article, Entertainment Weekly named Pierce's role as Cecil as one of the sixteen best guest appearances on The Simpsons.