how many new homes in Orem's river bottom depend on Deer Creek's dam holding up? Without the dam it is a flood zone. With the dam it is still a flood zone it just becomes less predictable not less probable. One earthquake away. Build in a swamp, slope, flood zone and expect those things to not be part of your home's reality at sometime in the future is trusting the sizzle over the meat (vague marketing reference.) The view becomes the deciding factor rather than dependable shelter.