Local communities, with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) assistance, have constructed over 11,000 dams in 47 states since 1948. Many of these dams are nearing the end of their 50-year design life. Rehabilitation of these dams is needed to address critical public health and safety issues in these communities.
2014 Watershed Rehabilitation Update
The 2014 Farm Bill made about $262 million available for rehabilitation of 151 dams in 26 states, including Kansas. These watershed management projects provide an estimated $2.2 billion in annual benefits in reduced flooding and erosion damages, recreation, water supplies and wildlife habitat for roughly 47 million people. Projects were identified based on recent rehabilitation investments and the risks to life and property if a dam failure occurred. Kansas will receive funding for six projects located in Butler and Sedgwick counties.
