The landslide traveled down the north flank of Sheep Mountain, at an estimated 100 miles per hour (160 km/h), killing 28 people who were camping along the shores of Hebgen Lake and downstream along the Madison River.

A seiche, a wave effect created by wind, atmospheric pressure, or seismic activity on water, crested over Hebgen Dam, causing cracks and erosion.

Several geysers in the northwestern sections in Yellowstone National Park erupted and numerous hot springs became temporarily muddied.

[5] Hebgen Dam, built in 1917, is a concrete core and rock fill faced structure that sustained severe damage but continued to hold.

The landslide, which occurred downstream from the dam, blocked almost all the flow of the Madison River which began to fill in the void upstream from the slide.