On January 1, 1937, a record flood struck the Ohio River Basin as the Ohio River rose to 80 feet above low water level in Cincinnati, nine feet above any previous flood of record. Water, electricity, and gas services were severed in many cities, 500,000 or more people were suddenly driven from their homes in the dead of winter, and business activities and communications were disrupted for several weeks. An in-depth study found watershed management and flood control insufficient and concluded that many more reservoirs and flood control measures were needed to insure flood protection. On April 28th, 1937, Congress authorized the Caesar Creek Lake Project after the U.S. Army Chief of Engineers released a comprehensive final report on flood control and, because of the urgency of flood control needs, the U.S. Congress authorized an extensive coordinated system of levees and walls throughout the Ohio River Valley, including this project. Economic constraints slowed appropriations of funds, and World War II focused a total national effort on winning the war. After the war, many projects within the Ohio River Valley moved forward and greatly reduced the flood hazard, but in 1959 a major flood again reminded area residents of the need for the Caesar Creek Lake Project. Through cooperative local citizen involvement, elected representatives worked together to prioritize it. The legislative process provided initial funding in 1962, and over the next nine years land acquisition, background studies, and preparation of construction plans led to the first dirt being moved on August 30, 1971, with the construction of dikes. The outlet works, dam, and spillway were underway on September 9, 1972, and flood control along with water supply, fish and wildlife enhancement, and recreation were soon to become reality in the Caesar Creek Lake Valley.