There are over 91,000 dams in the country that serve many purposes. Dams are classified by hazard potential. A high-hazard-potential rating does not imply that a dam has an increased risk for failure; it simply means that if failure were to occur, the resulting consequences would likely be a direct loss of human life and extensive property damage. Over the last 20 years, the number of high-hazard-potential dams has more than doubled as development steadily encroaches on once-rural dams and reservoirs. Although the number of high-hazard-potential dams has increased, the overall percentage of these dams protected by an Emergency Action Plan has increased as well. As of 2018, 81% of such dams had a plan on file, up 5% from 2015.
Unfortunately, due to the lack of investment, the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) estimates the number of deficient high-hazard-potential dams now exceeds 2,300. Meanwhile, approximately 3% of dams supply households and businesses with hydroelectric power, and many of these dams are privately owned by utilities and follow a rigorous operations and maintenance schedule.
ASDSO recently released its 2023 Federal Priorities -
Reauthorize the National Dam Safety Act (current version expires in 2023). Increase annual appropriations for the National Dam Safety Program.
Administered by DHS, FEMA. Authorized currently at $13.9 million a year.Increase annual appropriations for the National Levee Safety Program. Administered by the US Army Corps of Engineers and DHS, FEMA. Authorized currently at $54 million a year.
Refine the elements of and increase annual appropriations for the National High-Hazard Potential Dam Rehabilitation Program. Administered by FEMA through the National Dam Safety Program. The 2016 law authorizes the program at $40 million for FY20 and $60 million for each year thereafter thru 2026.