Edwards, Kuster and Ryan introduce bills to prevent catastrophic dam failures

Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) today introduced two bills, the National Dam Safety Program Amendment Act and the Low-Head Dam Inventory Act, to improve the safety of dams in Western North Carolina. Congresswoman Ann McLane Kuster (NH-02) is co-leading the National Dam Safety Program Amendment Act and Congressman Patrick Ryan (NY-18) is co-leading the Low-Head Dam Inventory Act.

North Carolina’s 11th district is home to more than 750 dams, many of which are in poor or unsatisfactory condition. The American Society of Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) 2021 Report Card for America’s Infrastructure gave America’s dams a “D” grade in safety, and the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) estimates that more than 2,300 high-hazard dams are at risk due to a lack of investment in dam safety. ASDSO estimates that it would cost $157.5 billion to place these high-hazard dams into a state of good repair.

The bipartisan National Dam Safety Program Amendment Act reauthorizes the National Dam Safety Program through fiscal year 2028, increases the amount a state can receive for its dam safety program through already-available funding under the Federal Emergency Management Agency by 800 percent, and improves the program to strengthen dam safety across the nation.

The National Dam Safety Program plays a critical role in preventing and protecting downstream communities from the effects of dam failure, reducing dam operating costs, and making sure that dams across the country continue to provide critical water management services.

Low-head dams are manmade structures built in rivers or stream channels, spanning from bank to bank, to direct the flow of water or change the height of the water levels. There is currently no process in place to keep track of the quantity, condition or location of low-head dams across the United States. According to American Whitewater, 192 incidents involving the failure of low-head dams and 151 deaths related to these dam failures occurred between 2019 and 2022.

The Low-Head Dam Inventory Act would require that low-head dams be added to the National Inventory of Dams to keep track of the location and condition of low-head dams, specifically high-hazard low-head dams, and make sure that they are appropriately maintained to prevent low-head dam failures.

Congressman Edwards said, “WNC, with its many lakes and rivers, must remain at the forefront of dam safety, and the Low-Head Dam Inventory Act and National Dam Safety Program Amendment Act would make sure of that. To prevent catastrophic dam failures and protect downstream communities, we must provide federal support for the nearly 92,000 dams that serve critical functions across our nation. By improving dam safety efforts, we can protect lives and make sure that dams continue to provide the services that Americans depend on.”

“The recent flooding in New Hampshire underscores how important dam safety and rehabilitation are for our communities,” said Congresswoman Kuster. “The National Dam Safety Program is an important partnership between states and federal agencies to promote dam safety and ensure operators have the resources they need for safety inspections, monitoring, and emergency planning. I am proud to be leading bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the program and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill.”

ASCE President Marsia Geldert-Murphey said, “The National Dam Safety Program and the High Hazard Potential Dam Rehabilitation Grant Program are two key pillars of the nation’s dam safety efforts. These vital programs support continued monitoring and maintenance of the nation’s dams, and ensure state dam safety programs can properly regulate dams that fall under their jurisdiction. This legislation includes needed reforms that will ensure money from these programs flows more freely to states, improve and expand access to federal dam rehabilitation funds, and strengthen the overall safety of the nation’s more than 92,000 dams, which protects the communities living downstream of these dams.”

Sharon Tapia, P.E., president, ASDSO said, “On behalf of ASDSO, I want to thank Representatives Edwards and Kuster for prioritizing dam safety by supporting the need for strong dam safety programs. The reauthorization and amendments to this vital program will continue federal leadership and much-needed funding support to reduce the risks associated with dam failures. We encourage Congress to support the proposed improvements to the law which will make it more effective across all states."

Congressman Ryan said, “The Low-Head Dam Inventory Act will protect the safety of Hudson Valley recreationalists. Usually concealed entirely by water, low-head dams are sometimes known for pushing swimmers and kayakers underwater and trapping them in a strong recirculating current. There is currently no national inventory of low-head dams, leaving outdoor enthusiasts unaware of their existence and the life-threatening dangers they pose. The Low-Head Dam Inventory Act will address this gap by adding low head dams to the National Dam Inventory and require officials to track the location and conditions of such dams.”

Kevin Colburn, national stewardship director, American Whitewater said, "Low head dams represent a severe hazard to Americans that enjoy the simple pleasure of paddling our nation's many rivers and streams in canoes, kayaks, and rafts. We are extremely grateful for Congressmen Edwards’ and Ryan’s leadership in the effort to map these dams and share their locations with the public. This effort will save lives and support the thriving economy and healthy lifestyle associated with river-based recreation."

Sharon Tapia, P.E., president, ASDSO said, "On behalf of ASDSO, I want to thank Representatives Edwards and Ryan for their leadership to address the awareness of low head dams and add these dams to the National Inventory of Dams. This is a crucial step toward improving public awareness and will open federal funding assistance to owners of these dams."

National Dam Safety Program Amendment Act Endorsements

• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO)

Low-Head Dam Inventory Act Endorsements

• American Whitewater
• Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO)