This content 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 - December 2010
Lake Delhi failure analysis reports issued; Hawaii agricultural organizations urge use of general
funds for dam maintenance, repairs, upgrades; U.S. no longer leader in dam building; Isabella
Lake Dam report issued; Lower Ragged Mountain dam updates...
National News
In epic projects, the U.S. is no longer a leader . 12/19/2010, MSNBC
China, Brazil among countries now building Hoover Dams of this century.
Hydroelectric Dams & Safety . 12/17/2010, WJFW-TV- Northwoods
Hydroelectric power plants good source of clean energy, but can pose risks.
State and International News
California
Corps of Engineers issues Isabella Lake Dam Safety Modification Situation Report. 12/01/2010,
Kern Valley Sun
Public meetings to provide Isabella Lake Dam project activity updates.
Truckee residents skeptical of dam's safety concerns. 12/05/2010, Sacramento Bee
Martis Creek Dam in need of repair; area seismically active.
Dam repairs could take many years. 12/06/2010, Bakersfield Californian
ACE to hold public meetings to discuss options at Isabella Lake.
Locals urged to give feedback on high-risk Martis dam. 12/13/2010, Sierra Sun
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has labeled the Martis Creek Dam east of Truckee “critical,”
“near failure” and “extremely high risk."
San Gabriel Dam valve test sends torrent down canyon. 12/16/2010, Los Angeles Times
Biannual release of water needed to ensure that dam is able to control floods out of San Gabriel
Canyon's watershed.
SLO Co. initiates Arroyo Grande Creek Levee Failure Plan. 12/19/2010, KSBY San Luis Obispo
News
Emergency officials watch Arroyo Grande Creek Levee, which is in danger of failing.
Canada
Governments ignored dam warnings for two decades. 12/02/2010, Vancouver Sun
Testalinden Dam collapse probed.
China
China Punishes Officials for Zijin Dam Collapse. 12/21/2010, Bloomberg
Several face criminal charges for fatal Zijin Dam Collapse of September 2010.
Florida
Part of Florida levee not up to standards. 12/19/2010, UPI
Assessment concludes East Coast Protective Levee not up to FEMA standards.
Hawaii
Water storage benefits everyone, so all should pay. 12/06/2010, Star Advertiser- Honolulu
In light of recently proposed DLNR dam safety rules, Hawaii agricultural organizations urge use
of general funds for dam maintenance, repairs, and upgrades.
Inspectors Say Dam Above Haleiwa Did Not Fail; State Did Not Know About Helemano Dam.
12/15/2010, KITV-TV- Honolulu
Helemano Dam one of 100+ unlisted in state; heavily damaged during recent rainfall.
Iowa
Engineers will report on Lake Delhi dam failure today. 12/01/2010, Des Moines Register
National panel to release Lake Delhi findings.
Gov. Culver: Lake Dehli reports will provide sound basis for future decisions. 12/02/2010,
[IowaPolitics.com Press Release]
Lake Delhi Recover & Rebuild Task Force and National Dam Safety Review Board panels
releases reports on 7/24/10 Lake Delhi dam failure. The NDSRB panel found that the internal,
concrete core wall within the structure was overtopped by massive flooding that caused erosion
within the dam and ultimate failure; additionally, had one of the three spillway gates been fully
operational, the dam would likely have not overtopped, but failure of the dam could have still
occurred due to the internal erosion caused by water going over the internal core wall and
forming erosion paths within the structure. The panel makes a number of recommendations; the
final report credited local emergency coordination with preventing fatalities despite the
magnitude of the disaster. The final reports are at www.iowalifechanging.com/lakedelhi.
Louisiana
Our Views: Levee lessons from the past. 12/06/2010, The Advocate
Historical overview of levee failure; in memorium of those who fought for flood protection.
If Lafourche levees fail, who is liable?. 12/10/2010, Houma Courier
Local district attorney says parish government would not be liable if south Lafourche’s hurricane
levees fail during a storm.
Maryland
Lakeforest mall removes trees to safeguard dam. 12/01/2010, Business Gazette
Trees surrounding Lakeforest mall removed to inspect high-hazard dam.
Massachusetts
Dam demolition may proceed soon. 12/09/2010, The Republican
Owners of Upper Bondsville Dam ordered to repair or tear down.
Horse Pond Dam project is on again. 12/09/2010, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Town must complete several projects at Horse Pond dam; construction could begin in spring.
Michigan
Council revisits removal of dam. 12/15/2010, Niles Daily Star
Representatives give presentation on Pucker Street Dam removal; cost estimated $1-1.5
million.
Minnesota
South St. Paul's levee system gets poor rating from Army Corps of Engineers. 12/16/2010,
Pioneer Press (Glenview)
"Uncontrolled burrowing rodent problems" source of concern for 9 levees.
New Jersey
Bubbling Springs dam repair gets time extension . 12/01/2010, NorthJersey.com
Dam receives time-extension into 2011 to eliminate low-hazard status.
Predicts changes will mean more flooding . 12/19/2010, NorthJersey.com
Letter to the editor regarding lifting floodplain building restrictions.
Judge wants compliance on dams. 12/20/2010, Cherry Hill Courier Post
Developer ordered to pay daily penalty until he pays deposit for Kenilworth Lake dams
reconstruction.
New York
SLU students work to save Croghan dam. 12/07/2010, Watertown Daily Times
Students come up with scenarios designed to make redevelopment of dam attractive to funding
agencies.
North Carolina
Editorial: Empty - Dam's demise exposes a host of failures. 12/05/2010, Fayetteville Observer
Supervision and monitoring discussed in relation to Hope MIlls dam failure.
Caswell dam undergoing repairs. 12/15/2010, Burlington Times News
Work being done in preparation for opening a public fishing area.
Pennsylvania
Governor Rendell Says New, Past Investments in Flood Control Projects Making More PA
Communities, Citizens Safe. 11/30/2010, PR Newswire
Removing dams that contribute to flooding or pose safety risk part of infrastructure planning.
Authority may upgrade Mill Run Dam. 12/10/2010, Altoona Mirror
Mill Run Dam in need of spillway replacement and structural stabilization.
State DEP will check on erosion complaints in Snyder County . 12/12/2010, Danville News
Water overflow damages properties in area; potential violation of Dam Safety and
Encroachments Act/Chamber 105.
Contractor killed in accident at Holtwood Dam. 12/17/2010, York Daily Record
Contractor struck by construction equipment while working on dam.
A debate over disposal. 12/16/2010, Pittsburgh Post Gazette
"Little Blue," a coal waste disposal site, is largest earthen dam in eastern U.S.; considered high
hazard.
Tennessee
Two Years After Kingston, TVA Starts Phase 2 of Costly Coal Ash Spill Cleanup. 12/19/2010,
Knoxville News Sentinel
TVA says total cleanup bill $1.2 billion at most; will likely take until 2014 to complete.
Texas
Federal deadline approaches on Dallas levee fix. 12/03/2010, Dallas Morning News
Progress to report on repairs to Dallas Trinity River levee system.
IBWC engineer defends dam safety. 12/10/2010, Valley Morning Star
International Boundary and Water Commission engineer defends safety of Falcon and Amistad
dams, as well as levees along the floodway system, during a citizens forum this week.
United Kingdom
Reservoir flood maps go online. 12/17/2010, Public Service- UK
Maps show worst case scenario of how far flood water could spread from a reservoir.
Virginia
Mayor sees new cost estimates for dam as ‘major breakthrough’ in water debate. 12/16/2010,
Charlottesville Tomorrow
Building on top of Lower Ragged Mountain Dam could be alternative to new earthen dam.
Washington
Army Corps remains on levee watch; Hanson Dam reservoir has adequate storage for
floodwaters. 12/13/2010, PNW Local News - Poulsbo
USACE deploys 6 flood fight teams for river observation.
Federal Reports Show Northwest Levees Lacking. 12/16/2010, OPB News
"Uncontrolled burrowing rodent problems" source of concern for 9 levees.
Army corps checking W Washington levees. 12/17/2010, Levee damage possible after heavy
rains and flooding.
West Virginia (see also Pennsylvania)
Wisconsin (see also National News)