Climate Change Is Increasing Stress on Thousands of Aging Dams
Aging U.S. dams are given an overall “D” grade by the American Civil Society of Engineers, and many lack emergency action plans.
According to South Carolina Daily Gazette, there are more than 91,000 dams across the U.S., in all 50 states, with diverse designs and purposes. The average dam age is 57 years, and more than 8,000 dams are over 90 years old.
Every four years, the American Society of Civil Engineers produces a report card for the nation’s infrastructure that assigns grades based on the condition of structures like roads, bridges and dams, and the investments that they need.
The most recent report card estimates that 70% of U.S. dams will be more than 50 years old by 2030.
Overall, the report gave U.S. dams a “D” grade and estimated that more than 2,300 high hazard potential dams – those that could cause loss of life or serious property damage if they fail, based on the level of development around them – lacked emergency action plans.
