"As the nation's 84,000 dams continue to age, a growing number of people downstream are at risk, experts say.
That's not only because of older infrastructure but also because of population growth around some of the dams. More than a quarter were developed primarily for recreational purposes, according to National Inventory of Dams data from 2016.
'The nation’s dams are aging, and the number of high-hazard dams is on the rise,' according to a 2013 report from the American Society of Civil Engineers. 'Many of these dams were built as low-hazard dams protecting undeveloped agricultural land. However, with an increasing population and greater development below dams, the overall number of high-hazard dams continues to increase.'"
Benjamin Spillman, Jill Castellano, and Tracy Loew report for USA TODAY February 13, 2017.
SEE ALSO:
"Bureau Says Sacramento River Flood Maps A Secret" (Redding Record Searchlight)
"High Hazard Nevada Dams Lack Emergency Plans" (Reno Gazette-Journal)
"Disturbing Deficiencies Seen In California’s Dam Safety Efforts" (San Francisco Chronicle)
"Alarms Raised Years Ago About Risks Of Oroville Dam’S Spillways" (San Francisco Chronicle)
Editorial: "Mind The Gaps In Dam Safety" (San Francisco Chronicle)
"9 Investigates: Hundreds Of NC Dams Still Lack Required Emergency Plan" (WSOC-TV)
"After Oroville, Attention Turns To New York Dam Safety" (Lower Hudson Journal News)
"How Safe Are Dams In New Mexico?" (KFOX-14)
"California Dam Crisis: Could It Happen In Massachusetts?" (WCVB)
"If Oroville Dam Failed, Residents Likely Would Not Be Advised In Time" (AP)
"Oroville Crisis Highlights Risky Dams, Spotty Inspections Around U.S." (USA TODAY)
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