When the dam starts sprouting small leaks due to the pressure, town board member, Paul Burke enlists the help of Sam Adams to determine the safety of the dam.

When the dam starts showing signs of imminent collapse, and the floodgates are jammed and unable to be opened to lower the level of the lake, Burke enlists friend (and helicopter pilot) Steve Brannigan to free the stuck gates using a helicopter before the dam bursts, and floods the town below.

In 1975 he announced he would make three TV movies for ABC, The Forgotten World, Flood and Time Traveller.

[3] The film ended up on NBC[4] In August 1976, Robert Culp and Martin Milner signed to star.

[5] Filming started that month at Fern Ridge Reservoir west of Eugene, Oregon.