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 - February 2011
Association of State Dam Safety Officials - www.damsafety.org
NY Times spotlights national dam safety issues; Hawaii governor proposes increase in
dam safety spending; VA substitute bill bases regulations on a dam's hazard potential
rather than size; Corps posts interim risk reduction measures for projects in Texas,
Kansas, Oklahoma; Report cards released for dam safety in Kentucky & Maryland;
more...
National News
Danger pent up behind aging dams. 2/21/2011, New York Times
In-depth look at the need for dam rehabilitation nationwide uses the example of Lake
Isabella dams, high-hazard potential 57-year-old structures built without benefits of
modern technology on an unstable foundation and an active fault. Correcting the dams'
excessive seepage, inadequate spillway capacity, and seismic deficiencies could cost
more than $500 million. More than 340,000 people live downstream.
At risk? Investigating dams. 2/23/2011, New York Times
Lesson plan based on 2/21/11 NY Times article, "Danger Pent Up Behind Aging Dams."
Overview: What are dams and how do they work? What are some of the issues
surrounding the construction and maintenance of dams? In this lesson, students explore
the kinds of dams used in waterways around the world. They explore dam design,
investigate the history of dams and investigate how dams affect wildlife and
communities.
House Budget Could Make Deep Cuts to Infrastructure. 2/4/2011, This Week in
Washington
Spending caps would strip $3.5 billion from Energy and Water Development programs.
Senators seek an end to 'without levee' designations; change would help Metro East .
2/4/2011, St. Louis Beacon
FEMA sometimes designates an area as "without levee" to simplify mapping, even
though levees in need of repair may exist.
Geithner: Infrastructure Bank Would End 'Bridges To Nowhere' . 2/9/2011, Wall Street
Journal
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner says Obama administration's budget proposal will
call for creation of a national infrastructure bank that selects major projects for federal
backing, removing some spending decisions from Congress.
EPA Releases More Electric Utility Plans to Improve Safety of Coal Ash Impoundments .
2/11/2011, EPA.gov (press release)
EPA in process of developing first-ever national rules to ensure safe disposal and
management of coal ash.
President's Fiscal Year 2012 Budget for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Civil Works
Released . 2/14/2011, [USACE Press Release]
Obama administration's proposed FY12 budget includes $4.631 billion in gross
discretionary funding for USACE Civil Works program. The budget funds 92
construction projects, consisting of 10 dam safety assurance, seepage control, and static
instability correction projects; 20 projects ranked on the basis of life-saving benefits; two
additional project completions; two new starts; and 58 other continuing projects. Among
the ongoing construction projects in the FY12 budget are Wolf Creek Dam, Lake
Cumberland, KY, seepage control ($132 million); Herbert Hoover Dike, FL, seepage
control ($85 million); Center Hill Lake, TN ($79 million); Bluestone Lake, WV ($70
million); Olmsted Locks and Dam, IL & KY ($150 million). FY12 Army Civil Works
budget press book, including a state-by-state breakdown:
http://www.usace.army.mil/CECW/PID/Pages/cecwm_progdev.aspx.
2012 budget includes huge cuts to Indian country. 2/14/2011, Cherokee One Feather
Obama administration's proposed FY12 budget request includles $3.8 million) to help the
Bureau of Indian Affairs address dam safety deficiencies and ensure public safety near
high hazard dams.
Lakes categorized in national assessment . 2/22/2011, Bixby Bulletin
USACE projects nationwide evaluated for dam safety risk. Article focuses on projects in
Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma and includes link to information sheets identifying safety
issues and interim risk reduction measures being taken to address them. Direct link to
info sheets
State-by-State & International News
Arizona
No, Hackers Can’t Open Hoover Dam Floodgates. 2/3/2011, Wired News (blog)
USBR says congressional staffer mis-spoke about need for "kill-switch" legislation to
prevent cyber attack on Hoover Dam.
Arkansas
Scientists to examine Faulkner County levee. 2/2/2011, Log Cabin Democrat
$30,000 levee survey will help in planning for future enhancements.
Australia
Dams can cope with cyclone: Sunwater. 2/1/2011, ABC Online
Sunwater says no risk storage facilities in Queensland will fail as result of Cyclone Yasi.
California
Delta problems a 'mess'. 1/19/2011, 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 .. 1/20/2011, Wall Street Journal
The newly completed Freeport Regional Water Project plant, which sits atop Sacramento
River, will divert more water to East Bay.
Folsom Dam Improvements . 1/26/2011, American River Parkway Blog
Project focuses on eight small outlet gates in face of dam that cannot empty reservoir fast
enough during major storms.
El Dorado Irrigation District approves funding to study Pollock Pines reservoir.
1/26/2011, Sacramento Business Journal
Forebay Dam requires improvement in order to meet state and federal requirements.
SFPUC OKs Calaveras Dam Replacement in Water Improvement Program. 2/2/2011, EP
Magazine
$434 million project will replace seismically unsafe Calaveras Dam with new earth and
rock-fill dam.
Preferred site for flood emergency center may face Folsom Dam peril. 2/3/2011,
Sacramento Bee
Preferred site for planned emergency operations center is in the dam break inundation
zone 8 miles downstream of Folsom Dam.
Your Town: Hearings on Cal Am charge set next week. 2/4/2011, Monterey County
Herald
Cal Am customers could pay appx. $137 million over 20 years for San Clemente Dam
The Great Myth of the Delta's 'Earthquake-Prone' Levees. 2/4/2011, California Progress
Report
Comment on a 2008 Public Policy Institute report that predicted a catastrophic failure of
the Delta levee system in the event of a major earthquake.
Blasting schedule for dam excavation is on agenda. 2/17/2011, Sacramento Bee
Public meeting will cover excavation blasting for new auxiliary spillway at Folsom Dam.
Colorado
Colorado has more ailing dams, less money to fix them. 2/7/2011, Denver Post
Funds lacking for dam repairs; state imposing storage restrictions as safety measure.
Connecticut
Disastrous Dam Failure in Connecticut Eleven People Killed. 1/21/2011, suite101.com
Remembering 1869 Upper Kohanza dam failure; impact of dam burst over a century
later.
Georgia
Thurmond Lake plans unique evacuation drill. 2/15/2011, Augusta Chronicle
ACE holds large-scale dam safety exercise at Thurmond Lake.
Thurmond Lake plans unique evacuation drill. 2/15/2011, Augusta Chronicle
USACE's large-scale dam safety exercise at Thurmond Lake to include test of evacuation
contingency in the event a major hurricane strikes Corps district headquarters in
Savannah.
Hawaii
2/4/2011, This Week in Washington
HB744 establishes dam safety task force.
Hawaii gov boosts spending in $5.7B state budget. 2/22/2011, CNBC
Gov. Neil Abercrombie has proposed additional spending of $400 million over two years,
including a $2.1 million increase for dam safety.
Idaho
IDWR shrinks with budget cuts…. 2/2/2011, The Spokesman Review (blog)
Department only able to address most urgent water issues; dam safety staff cut from 7.5
to 3.
Iowa
Damaged gates at Saylorville Dam tested. 2/24/2011, Chicago Tribune
Gates damaged last summer tested to make sure they work properly; Corps takes
inspection bids.
Kansas
2/4/2011, This Week in Washington
HB2109 proposed; creates Kansas Dam Rehabilitation Program.
Safety concerns found for Eastern Kansas dam . 2/22/2011, Pittsburg Morning Sun
John Redmond Dam deemed to have high safety risk due to concerns at Hartford Levee.
Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan to review safety of border dam. 2/10/2011, Central Asia
Newswire
Kazakh-Kyrgyz Chu and Talas Rivers Commission to present the results in April on
investigations of Kirov dam. The Commission was established in 2006 to review the
safety of hundreds of aging dams built during the Soviet era, one of which (Kyzyl-Agash)
failed last year, killing 43.
Kentucky
Wolf Creek Dam project requires more time, money. 1/24/2011, Lexington HeraldLeader
Switch in construction methods postpones completion date.
Kentucky infrastructure report card for dams, 2/2011
The Kentucky chapter of ASCE has given dams a grade of D+.
Louisiana
Alexander files new levees bill. 2/19/2011, Monroe News Star
Legislation introduced that would require existing levees and flood control structures to
be considered, even if they are unaccredited, under the national flood insurance program.
Maine
Salmon lawsuit targets dam owners. 2/1/2011, Mainebiz Daily
Multiple dam owners accused of violating Endangered Species Act.
Maryland
Maryland infrastructure report card for dams, 2/2011
The Maryland chapter of ASCE has given dams a grade of C.
Massachusetts
Can't give it away. 2/1/2011, Worcester Telegram & Gazette
Owners may breach high-hazard Manchaug Dam, despite community opposition.
New walkway lends panache to Eddy Pond project in Auburn. 2/11/2011, Worcester
Telegram & Gazette
Once rated high hazard, Eddy Pond Dam's rehabilitation is almost complete.
Bondsville dam plan gains momentum. 2/17/2011, The Republican
Belchertown Land Trust lacks estimated $350,000 needed to repair or remove Upper
Bondsville Dam; plans to sell it to an owner who would use the dam for hydropower
generation.
Michigan
Zebra mussels suspected in Argo Dam control system failure; divers on site for icy
underwater work. 2/1/2011, AnnArbor.com
Zebra mussels pose threat to Argo Dam.
Group secures Sanford Lake dam repair money, deal in the works . 2/3/2011, Midland
Daily News
First phase of repairs cost company appx. $153,000; second phase to cost $83,000.
State making plans to remove Shiatown dam. 2/13/2011, Argus Press
Century-old dam, 19' high and 500' wide, needs extensive repairs. Five people have
drowned at the dam in the past 20 years, and the lake is filled with sediment.
Minnesota
Improving Coon Rapids Dam one of projects in Dayton’s $1 billion bonding bill.
2/1/2011, Coon Rapids ECM Publishers
Governor seeks to create jobs through improvement of Coon Rapids Dam.
Minneapolis start-up plans to commercialize device that prevents harmful sediment in
urban runoff. 2/4/2011, Star Tribune
“SAFL Baffle” slows down water runoff, preventing water from picking up harmful
sediments.
Commission to back $17 million upgrade of Coon Rapids Dam . 2/22/2011, Minneapolis
Star Tribune
Improvements intended to prevent migration of unwanted fish up Mississippi River.
Missouri
Corps sets dam safety meeting. 2/3/2011, News-Leader.com
No plans for work to be done on Stockton Dam.
Montana
Massive dam tear-down start only eight months away; Montana contractor looks over
project, housing prospects. 1/23/2011, Peninsula Daily News
Elwha and Glines Canyon dam removals estimated at $351.4 million; largest of its kind
in nation's history.
Libby faces problems with 65-year old dam . 1/30/2011, Daily Inter Lake
Flower Creek structure deteriorating quickly; resulting failure would likely flood town.
Nevada (see also Arizona)
New Mexico
Navajo Dam seeks bids for erosion repair. 2/21/2011, Daily Times- Farmington
Rainstorm leading to erosion at Navajo Dam causes minor damage; repairs set for April.
North Carolina
Dam update, concession stand on Hope Mills agenda. 2/7/2011, Fayetteville Observer
Town Manager to deliver update on progress of determining cause of Hope Mill dam's
failure.
Better safe than sorry unscores new dam safety protocols. 2/16/2011, Smoky Mountain
News
Duke Energy taking steps to cut the amount of time between workers suspecting a
problem with a dam and evacuation of those potentially at risk.
North Dakota
Corps, officials hold tabletop exercise. 2/24/2011, Jamestown Sun
Tabletop exercise shows communication processes involved in a mock failure of
Pipestream Dam and Jamestown Dam.
Ohio
Are you responsible for a dam?. 2/10/2011, Farm and Dairy- Columbus
Article by the District Administrator, Stark SWCD, outlines basic facts regarding Ohio
dam safety and responsibilities of dam ownership.
Oklahoma
Corps Says Keystone Very High Risk Dam. 2/15/2011, NewsOn6.com
Causes for concern: seepage through the foundation and abutments and potential
overtoping during a PMF.
Pennsylvania
Find money to fix locks and dams. 2/2/2011, Monessen Valley Independent
Aging Locks and Dams 2 and 4 in need of repair during harsh economic times.
Dover Dam work slated to begin in April. 2/3/2011, New Philadelphia Times Reporter
Company to begin $11.9 million project, including anchoring installation.
Rhode Island
DEM to look at re-classifying dam. 2/7/2011, Turn to 10.com- Providence
Water level was not taken into account when officials originally classified Old Stone
Dam.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka to expand dam safety program. 2/8/2011, Lanka Business Online
Country will ask World Bank for additional funding due to recent flooding.
Syria
Foundation of ‘Friendship Dam’ to be laid Sunday. 2/2/2011, Hurriyet Daily News
Turkey and Syria construct dam to prevent floods, produce energy, and expand irrigation.
Tennessee
Council upset over water harvesting project hold-up. 2/14/2011, Crossville Chronicle
Texas
Environmental group sues to obtain Falcon Dam safety records . 2/1/2011, KGBT-TVHarlingen
Environmental group files lawsuit related to Falcon Dam and Amistad Dam.
Turkey (see also Syria)
Virginia
2/4/2011, This Week in Washington
SB 160 proposes to change definition of dam to include only those structures that are at
least 25 feet high and impound at least 50 acre-feet or more.
Dam safety preserved. 2/9/2011, American Council of Engineering Companies of
Virginia (ACEC)
ACEC Virginia worked with the Dept. of Conservation and Recreation, Senator
McDougle, ASCE, VSPE and ASDSO on substitute bill, replacing SB1406 with SB1060.
Track the bill at http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?111+sum+SB1060
Owners of low-risk dams get a financial break from Senate revision. 2/9/2011, Richmond
Times Dispatch
Substitute bill bases regulations on a dam's potential to cause harm if it breaks, rather
than size.
Battle Brewing over Waynesboro's Rife-Loth Dam. 2/17/2011, NBC 29 News Charlottesville
Residents attempt to save historical Rife-Loth Dam; others see it as expensive hazard.
Albemarle water authority updated on earthen dam. 2/18/2011, Charlottesville
Tomorrow
Group informed of design progress for new earthen dam at Ragged Mountain Reservoir.
Washington
Portions of Mill Creek Trail, dam closed down . 2/18/2011, Mid Columbia Tri City
Herald
Crews install drainage system to manage possible seepage through diversion dike.
West Richland's levee system barely passes latest rating . 2/21/2011, The News TribuneTacoma
Levee system receives "minimally acceptable" rating after most recent ACE inspection.
Wisconsin
Xcel Energy submits report and remediation plan. 2/3/2011, WQOW TV News 18- Eau
Claire
Report submitted regarding small sinkholes and depressions at Big Falls.