Dam Failure
There are are more than 80,000 dams in the United States, according to the 2007 update to the National Inventory of Dams. Approximately one third of these pose a "high" or "significant" hazard to life and property if failure occurs.
Dam failure or levee breeches can occur with little warning. Intense storms may produce a flood in a few hours or even minutes for upstream locations. Flash floods occur within six hours of the beginning of heavy rainfall, and dam failure may occur within hours of the first signs of breaching.
Other failures and breeches can take much longer to occur, from days to weeks, as a result of debris jams or the accumulation of melting snow.
How can I protect myself from dam failure?
Last Modified: Monday, 23-Feb-2009 21:06:12 EST
Fast Facts
Dam Ownership in the United States
References
- Dam Safety Publications
- Risk Prioritization Tool for Dams
- Emergency Action Planning for State Regulated High-Hazard Potential Dams