Let's talk dams. There are roughly 90,500 dams in the U.S.
The avg. age of those dams is more than 50 yrs old.
Between 1848 and 2017, the U.S averages about 10 dam failures annually. All 50 states experienced dam failures during that time. Georgia is the champ w/ 238 failures
The avg. age of those dams is more than 50 yrs old.
Between 1848 and 2017, the U.S averages about 10 dam failures annually. All 50 states experienced dam failures during that time. Georgia is the champ w/ 238 failures
Michigan had 41 dam failures between 1848 and 2017.
Dams fail when they get old. The Edenville Dam near Midland was built in 1925. 
Here's an old article, but pertinent, about the downside of flood control.
theatlantic.com/past/docs/poli…
theatlantic.com/past/docs/poli…
For the record, I'm withholding my feelings on dams effects on river systems (because I love rivers and fish). Let's just say, dams are awful for ecology. That's all I'll say about that here.
Back to dams in Michigan. 94% of the state's 1,059 dams are deemed by regulators has "High Hazard Potential w/ Emergency."
It gets worse in SE Michigan. 100% of dams in Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland, Livingston and Macomb counties are of high hazard potential.
It gets worse in SE Michigan. 100% of dams in Wayne, Washtenaw, Oakland, Livingston and Macomb counties are of high hazard potential.
The average age of dams in Washtenaw County? 83 years. Livingston County? 88 years.
Argo Dam near downtown Ann Arbor is 100 years old. Luckily it's not damming a ton of water at only 18-feet high. But still.
Argo Dam near downtown Ann Arbor is 100 years old. Luckily it's not damming a ton of water at only 18-feet high. But still.
Fun(?) fact: The 1889 flood in Johnstown, Penn. & subsequent failure of the South Fork Dam was the deadliest in history, killing 2,200.
It is also mentioned in one of the best songs ever written, Bruce Springsteen's "Highway Patrolman." Don't @ me.
It is also mentioned in one of the best songs ever written, Bruce Springsteen's "Highway Patrolman." Don't @ me.
Back to the Edenville Dam and the tragedy occurring right now in Midland. THE FEDS KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN!
Many have questions about private ownership of dams. According to @FEMA, more than 56% of dams are privately-owned. Sometimes to create lakes for recreation, others for power generation.
Also, if you haven't, you should read this absolutely wonderful investigative piece by @AP on dams.
apnews.com/f5f09a300d3949…
apnews.com/f5f09a300d3949…
On climate change increasing frequency and intensity of storms in relation to the nation's failing dams"
“These are like ticking bombs just sitting there, waiting for the wrong conditions to occur to cause catastrophic failure.”
“These are like ticking bombs just sitting there, waiting for the wrong conditions to occur to cause catastrophic failure.”
From the aforementioned @AP article an important regulatory tidbit.
"There is no national standard for inspecting dams, leading to a patchwork of state regulations. Some states inspect high-hazard dams every year, while others wait up to five years."
"There is no national standard for inspecting dams, leading to a patchwork of state regulations. Some states inspect high-hazard dams every year, while others wait up to five years."
69% of Michigan's dams are state regulated, 15% are federally regulated and the other 16% are regulated by ... (I assume local municipalities?).
