The content on this page is intended only as a summary of information published in various news outlets. ASDSO does
not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, efficacy or timeliness of such information.
Latest Dam Safety News – January 2011
Proposed legislation would exempt many Virginia dams from regulation; California's levees (and
earthquakes); Upper Bondsville Dam removal updates; Unsafe dams in Massachusetts; Corps
tests levee plug; Tennessee regulations exempt many high-hazard dams; Lawsuit filed over USMexico border dams; Safety of coal ash ponds a continuing issue two years after Kingston spill;
Epic floods in Australia; more...
National News
Safety of Rio Grande Dams in Question: U.S. Agency Sued to Disclose Flooding Maps,
Emergency Plans and Dam Conditions . 01/31/2011, [Public Employees for Environmental
Responsibility Press Release]
The safety of Falcon and Amistad dams on the Rio Grande River and the adequacy of
emergency plans in the event of failure are central issues in a lawsuit filed by Public Employees
for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) against the United States Section, International
Boundary and Water Commission (USIBWC).
State-by-State and International News
Arizona
Prescott Valley seeks bids to dredge Fain Lake. 1/5/2011, Sun Shopper- Prescott
Department claims dirt buildup is affecting water quality for fish and hampering fishing at Fain
Lake.
Prescott Valley Plans Fain Lake Dredging (USA). 1/6/2011, Dredging Today
Department wants to hire contractor to dredge sediment from Fain Lake; dirt buildup affecting
water quality for fish and hampering fishing.
Flood district weighs need to brace dams. 01/28/2011, Arizona Republic
Flood Control District of Maricopa County studying whether to modify or replace Powerline,
Vineyard Road, and Rittenhouse flood control dams. The 40-year-old earthen structures provide
flood protection for 72 square miles inhabited by more than 150,000 residents, Phoenix-Mesa
Gateway Airport, part of the Central Arizona Project canal, and agricultural land. USDA NRCS
funds could cover up to 65% of project costs, estimated at $80 to $100M.
Australia
Dam floods park. 01/03/11, Bayside Bulletin
Water releases from Leslie Harrison Dam flood Capalaba Regional Park.
Australia flood death toll rises; rains cause more havoc. 01/04/11, Los Angeles Times
Floodwaters cut off towns and submerge buildings in Queensland state; spillover from Fairbairn
Dam leads to evacuations.
Tony Abbott's dam solution for flooded rivers . 1/7/2011, Herald Sun
Plan to build series of dams around nation, as part of Coalition's policy platform for next election.
More dams won't solve water woes: expert. 1/8/2011, ABC Online
Leading researcher says building more dams will not solve nation's water woes.
Whittlesea reservoir's bluestone demolition approved. 1/9/2011, Leader News
Company granted permit for $11 million demolition project, despite community protests.
A 174-Foot-High Dam Is Master of Brisbane's Fate. 1/11/2011, Wall Street Journal
Engineers say Wivenhoe dam, currently operating close to capacity, is well within safe limits.
Wivenhoe Dam in sights of flood inquiry . 1/18/2011, The Australian
Inquiry to examine role of Wivenhoe dam operation in flooding of Brisbane.
Fears Kerang levee will be breached. 1/19/2011, ABC Online
Town expected to be isolated by floodwaters and could be cut off for up to 3 days.
Debate heats up as expert calls for dam levels to drop . 1/20/2011, Courier Mail
Professor claims water capacity diverted for flood mitigation could have been easily replaced.
Australia floods: PM Julia Gillard unveils new tax. 01/27/2011, BBC
Australia's Prime Minister Julia Gillard has announced a new tax to help pay for devastating
floods that she says will cost $5.6B in reconstruction. The12-month tax, starting July 1, would be
levied on those earning at least $50,000 and not affected by floods.
Fears full dam will cause new flooding in Brisbane . 02/01/2011, The Australian
Some engineers and hydrologists say that in following an allegedly outdated operating manual
and thereby refusing to immediately release unneeded water from Brisbane's Wivenhoe Dam currently at 100% capacity - the dam's operators are unwisely disregarding an intense La Nina
weather phase and severe wet season in Queensland.
California
The Next Katrina? California's Looming Levee Catastrophe. 01/04/11, Fast Company- New York
With possibility of major earthquake occuring in next 25 years, levees in state need repair.
Working to shore up levee. 1/6/2011, Modesto Bee
Officials work to patch levee on San Joaquin River damaged by heavy runoff.
San Joaquin County repairs levee in case San Joaquin River floods. 1/8/2011, News10.netSacramento
Officials work to repair eroding levee before snow begins to melt.
Dam Safety and Water Storage Concerns Trump Trees, County Study Says. 1/8/2011, Patch Sierra Madre
Santa Anita Dam's difficulties stem from the decomposed granite.
California’s Delta Water Blues. 1/8/2011, Miller-McCune
Can California build the new water system experts say it needs — before an earthquake brings
the levees down?
Levee Repairs Under Way In Vernalis. 1/14/2011, KCRA Sacramento
Heavy runoff erodes 50- to 100-yard stretch of San Joaquin River levee.
New Life for the Auburn Dam Project ?. 1/14/2011, KTXL- Sacramento
Congressman says Auburn Dam will eventually be built. Construction of the project, approved in
1965, was stopped in 1980. Original project cost estimate: $428 million; current estimate: $10
billion.
New seismic problem at Calero Reservoir. 1/18/2011, San Jose Mercury News
Fixing 5 reservoirs in need of seismic upgrades could cost $150+ million.
Delta problems a 'mess'. 01/19/2011, Contra Costa Times
Many of region's levees are dated and could potentially fail in large earthquake or flood.
Amid Deluge, Districts Plan for Next Dry Spell .. 01/20/2011, Wall Street Journal
The newly completed Freeport Regional Water Project plant, which sits atop Sacramento River,
will divert more water to East Bay.
Local dams in distress finding support. 1/21/2011, Morgan Hill Times
Major earthquake could cause "significant slumping" at Anderson Dam
LAKE PERRIS: Environmental studies almost done for dam repairs. 1/21/2011, Press-Enterprise
Seismic repairs at Lake Perris Dam expected to begin 2013.
Santa Fe Dam deemed potentially unsafe by Army Corps. 1/24/2011, Whittier Daily News
Team expected to conduct investigation of Santa Fe Dam in September.
El Dorado Irrigation District approves funding to study Pollock Pines reservoir. 01/26/2011,
Sacramento Business Journal
Forebay Dam requires improvement in order to meet state and federal requirements.
Folsom Dam Improvements . 01/26/2011, American River Parkway Blog
Project focuses on eight small outlet gates in face of dam that cannot empty reservoir fast enough
during major storms.
Officials approve $405M Calaveras Dam replacement. 01/28/2011, San Francisco Chronicle
Work on the $405 million replacement of 1920s-era Calaveras Dam will begin this year.
Canada
Canada remains a target for terror. 01/05/11, Vancouver Sun
Discusses the potential of terrorist attacks on Canada via infrastructure and cyberspace.
China
China ready for flood of hydropower . 1/6/2011, Global Times
Each year, equivalent of one new Three Gorges Dam will be added in China over next decade,
according to analyst.
Peril of China's tailings dumping ponds . 1/16/2011, Xinhua
According to government figures, nearly 17% of China's 12,523 tailing ponds had various safety
problems at the end of 2009.
Colorado
River to be diverted for levee repairs . 1/6/2011, Pueblo Chieftain
Groups scheduled to start work on levee along portion of Arkansas River to repair damage
caused by erosion; estimated cost $500,000.
Delaware
Delaware's dams: Without change, danger lurks. 1/13/2011, The News Journal
Hearns Pond Dam, built in 1912 and damaged by floods in 2001 and again in 2006, is one of
many aging Delaware dams not built to current flood-control standards. State environmental and
transportation agencies are working together to prioritize dam upgrades, utilizing the DOT bridgedeficiency formula to assess which dams are most at risk. The example of Williams Pond - where
environmental officials have charge over water levels while transportation officials control the
floodgates - illustrates the need for ongoing communication among state agencies.
DNREC Clears Vegetation to Meet Flood Standards. 1/14/2011, WBOC TV 16- Delmarva
Trees, brush and vines to be removed from Hearns Pond dam.
Florida
Cost, deadline create hurdles for fixing levee that protects South Florida from Everglades
flooding. 1/12/2011, Sun-Sentinel
South Florida Water Management District says that fixing section of the East Coast Protective
Levee could take longer than expected and cost more than $10 million.
Idaho
Barge traffic on hold as Snake River dams undergo maintenance. 1/2/2011, KLEW-TV Lewiston
Corps replacing downstream navigation lock gates at Dalles, John Day and Lower Monumental
dams.
Illinois
Costello vows to keep pushing levee bill. 1/22/2011, Alton Telegraph
Levees along Mississippi River in need of repair.
Indiana
Verbatim: Fort Wayne gets $2 million for dam work. 1/13/2011, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette
(blog)
Fort Wayne to receive $2,000,070 federal Community Development Block Grant for St. Joseph
Dam rehabilitation.
City gets $2M grant for work on St. Joe dam . 1/14/2011, News Sentinel
$500,000 in Fort Wayne city funds supplementing $2M grant for St. Joe dam repairs.
Iowa
River rage: Why Iowa's flood risk is rising . 01/02/11, DesMoinesRegister.com
Des Moines Register says state's flood prevention safeguards outmoded and inadequate,
considering climate change and development.
Maintenance work ongoing on Red Rock Dam. 1/14/2011, Newton Daily News
$5.2 million, 2-year dam project involves construction of a stainless steel underwater sill to
support a movable 90-ton bulkhead that can isolate the tainter gates, minimizing future needs to
draw down the lake level.
Kentucky
Wolf Creek Dam repairs to reduce TN flood risk will take longer. 1/25/2011, The Tennessean
Slower, costlier method will be used to install concrete barrier wall
Louisiana
Officials move forward on south Lafourche levee safety. 1/11/2011, Houma Courier
Levee District and Corps working to bring levees into compliance before Aug. 15 peak of
hurricane season.
Massachusetts
Advocates for saving the Upper Bondsville Dam now have sub-groups to work on funding, future
ownership and electricity generation . 1/5/2011, MassLive.com
Upper Bondsville Dam must be removed unless organization takes ownership.
Dam repaired by DPW . 1/5/2011, Hanson Express
Repairs completed to retaining wall at outlet of Harding Pond.
Ordinance can't aid dam's fate. 1/6/2011, MassLive.com
After series of public hearings, Board decides to tear down dam at Upper Roberts Meadow
Reservoir.
Ownership of five dams in Ware, Huntington and Monson disputed. 1/9/2011, MassLive.com
Pulpit Rock Pond New Dam, Pulpit Rock Pond West Dam, Hardwick Pond Dam, O’Brien Pond
Dam rated significant hazards.
Auditor: 100 Mass. dams are rated unsafe or poor. 1/11/2011, Boston Herald
Worcester County has largest number of suspect dams.(32).
100 major dams need repair, state auditor says. 1/12/2011, Boston Globe
State audit report following 2-year investigation recommends stricter state oversight,
establishment of a no-interest loan program for dam repairs.
Danvers dam ruled "unsafe". 1/14/2011, Boston Globe
State auditor's report lists Danvers-owned Curtis Pond Dam as one of six unsafe municipally
controlled dams in the state; the report lists 100 dams that are either in poor condition or unsafe.
In 2009 the city appropriated $300,000 for the dam's removal. Eight different entities must
approve the project, which the state originally ordered completed by August 2010; MA DCR has
granted an extension.
Foxborough dams on state 'unsafe' list actually already fixed. 1/18/2011, Wicked Local
Foxborough
Some say report on unsafe dams is not fully accurate.
Sharon officials question state list dam placement. 1/20/2011, Sharon Advocate
Memo lists Mann’s Pond Dam and Hammershop Pond Dam in critical condition.
Blackstone dam has been fixed. 01/28/2011, Milford Daily News
Local officials say the 10'-high, 300'-long Lake Hiawatha dam is in satisfactory condition after a
major overhaul including spillway replacement, slope improvements and reconstruction of the
road on the dam in 2007. The dam was cited in a recent Massachusetts Auditor's report as one of
the state's 100 most unsafe dams.
Michigan
Is removal best option for Niles dam?. 1/9/2011, South Bend Tribune
DNR official to address city panel on Niles city dam.
Who should pay for $83,000 Sanford Lake Dam repairs?. 01/31/2011, MLive.com
Responses to Sanford Lake Dam owner's statement that all who benefit from the lake should help
pay for repairs.
Minnesota
Plans to remove vintage dam pose costly dilemma. 01/05/11, West Central Tribune - Willmar
Company weighs pros and cons of removing Minnesota Falls dam.
Saving Granite Falls dam will be an upstream battle; solutions laborious so far. 01/31/2011, West
Central Tribune - Willmar
Fate of 105-year-old Minnesota Falls dam in question; owner under state orders to either repair it
or remove it to protect public safety. Removal would cost an estimated $2.1 million to $2.8 million;
repair costs estimated at $5.2 million to $6.9 million.
Missouri
Divers Repairing Erosion on Floor of Stilling Basin at Truman Dam. 1/14/2011, Benton County
Enterprise
Diving teams installing anchors at Harry S. Truman dam in project funded by USACE-Kansas City
District and slated for completion in June 2011. Working conditions are difficult, with less than 2'
visibility underwater, limited diving time due to the 48-foot depth of the stilling basin, and the
presence of zebra mussels in the Lake of the Ozarks, immediately downstream.
Montana
Report: Libby must replace dam . 1/6/2011, Western News
Signs of wear can be seen on Flower Creek Dam, including calcium carbonate buildup.
Engineer: Libby dam needs to be replaced. 1/10/2011, KPAX-TV - Missoula
Officials estimate 3 years and $4.5 million to replace Flower Creek Dam.
New Hampshire
Great Dam study could take a year to complete. 01/04/11, Exeter News-Letter
Firm will be selected to conduct study of possible removal of Great Dam in Exeter.
New Jersey
Matawan, county take steps to become partners in $8M plan to replace borough's dams.
1/12/2011, Asbury Park Press
Matawan Borough Council and Monmouth County to share costs of $8 million replacement of
HHP Lake Lefferts and Lake Matawan dams. NJ DEP has granted Matawan a $16 million line of
credit at a 2 percent interest rate to be paid back over 20 years.
Matawan and county partner to restore dams, bridge. 1/18/2011, Holmdel Independent
Lake Lefferts, Matawan dams do not meet current standards.
Plan for Rambaut Lake Dredging Moves Ahead (USA). 1/20/2011, Dredging Today
Homeowners will determine whether dredging 7.5-acre body of water is possible.
New York
Broome County Legislature Calls for Uniform Standards for Levee Safety and Accreditation.
1/25/2011, WBGH- Binghamton
Chairman calls for development of consistent policies for levee safety, accreditation.
North Carolina
Foreclosure adds to dam confusion. 01/01/11, Gaston Gazette
Warren Lake Dam fails to meet spillway capacity; erosion and sinkhole also discovered.
Editorial: Caution - Hope Mills dam could use two kinds of scrutiny.. 01/05/11, FayObserver.com
Contractors develop a plan to restore town's dam and historic lake.
State Emergency Management: Praying for the best, preparing for the worst . 1/7/2011, The Apex
Herald
Review of notable disaster exercises of 2010; includes dam safety.
Ohio
Fremont hires Stantec to remove Ballville Dam. 1/20/2011, Fremont News Messenger
Ballville Dam project to be completed in five phases.
Pakistan
USA to provide $66 mlllion to complete Gomal, Satpara dam projects . 1/7/2011, Associated
Press of Pakistan
New dams will provide over 35 megawatts of power to nearly 55,000 households in Pakistan.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka's floods, dam breaks and senior ministers. 1/24/2011, Lanka Business Online
Dams as "unnatural disasters" and the politics concerning them.
Tennessee
Report: Warnings in Nashville flood came late. 1/13/2011, AP
Assessment of forecasting by National Weather Service in 2010 floods.
Texas
City officials await results of soil tests on Trinity River levees. 1/8/2011, Dallas Morning News
City hopes to shore up Trinity River levees before FEMA redraws flood maps.
Turkey
Turkey launches 18 dam projects with six neighbors . 1/10/2011, Worldbulletin
When projects are completed, Turkey will have joint dams with all its neighbors except Armenia.
Utah
Reverse 911 judged a success. 1/10/2011, St. George Daily Spectrum
Notification system alerts nearby residents of emergencies.
Virginia
Hanover County sets legislative priorities. 1/11/2011, Richmond Times Dispatch
Representatives agree to introduce bills related to dam safety in response to county requests for
legislation.
Dam debate nearing resolution?. 1/11/2011, C-Ville Weekly- Charlottesville
Lower Ragged Mountain Dam needs solution to spillway deficiency by May to satisfy Virginia Soil
& Water Conservation Board.
County water board briefed on earthen dam progress. 1/21/2011, Charlottesville Tomorrow News
Center
Council explores options for completing Ragged Mountain Reservoir.
Save taxpayer money, build a taller dam. 01/30/2011, The Daily Progress
Albemarle County and Charlotteville officials consider pros and cons of constructing a new
Ragged Mountain Reservoir dam versus raising the height of the existing century-old structure.
Dam safety legislation proposed. 01/31/2011, Richmond Times Dispatch
Sen. Ryan T. McDougle, R-Hanover, has been working with the DCR on possible amendments to
his proposed bill that would remove more than half of the state's dams from regulation, including
24 high-hazard dams and 193 significant-hazard dams. Virginia currently regulates 162 highhazard dams, 382 significant-hazard dams and 1,024 low-hazard dams. The Committee on
Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources, to which the bill has been assigned, meets
today. Current legislation, passed in 2001, requires regulation of any dam 25 feet high or
impounding 50 acre- feet of water. McDougle's proposed bill stipulates that a dam must meet
both criteria to be regulated. Legislation passed in 2008 requires mapping of inundation zones for
regulated dams, so that anyone who builds within the zone has to pay half of the cost of
subsequently required dam upgrades.
Washington
Bureau of Reclamation is lowering Banks Lake . 1/13/2011, Columbia Basin Herald
Plans to take lake down by 30 ft to complete maintenance work at Dry Falls and North Dams.
It's all logs over the dam: Work begins on jam caused by preliminary dam removal operations.
1/16/2011, Peninsula Daily News
Logs removed from boom protecting Glines Canyon spillway, directed through dam's gate. The
process will likely be repeated at Elwha Dam, 9 miles downstream. Most of the logs were the
result of clearing a 37-acre delta that formed after Glines Canyon Dam was built in 1927. The
USBR dug a channel through the cleared delta to release sediment as part of the $351 million
Elwha River Restoration project, which involves removal of the Glines Canyon and Elwha dams.
Howard Hanson Dam in good shape; but some flooding upstream from Auburn anticipated.
1/17/2011, Seattle Post-Intelligencer
USACE Emergency Operations Center and Reservoir Control Center in 24-hour operation in
western Washington.
Rizwana Rahman, Wife of State Worker, Sues State for His State-Car Accident . . . and Wins.
01/26/2011, Seattle Weekly (blog)
State Court of Appeals reverses trial court decision that state was not liable for injuries of the
woman, an unauthorized passenger in a state car wrecked by her husband in 2005.
Wisconsin
DNR plan: Almost $10 million for Montello Dam. 1/23/2011, Sauk Prairie Eagle
DNR proposes biggest outdoor-related project of the year.