Aging dams and other river barrier infrastructure pose an increasing risk to communities. New research explains that dam removal can significantly enhance safety and resilience against extreme weather.
The research paper, “Barrier Removal is a Strategy for Climate Resilience,” from Utah State University highlights how removing outdated or unsafe dams and barriers can improve resilience to flooding, drought, temperature increases, sea level rise, and changes in river flow. While many dams serve a purpose, removal becomes a smart decision for outdated or unsafe structures.
Aging infrastructure faces increasing challenges from intense storms and catastrophic flooding. Many outdated or inadequately maintained dams pose significant risks, with 70% exceeding their engineered lifespan and 16,700 considered high-hazard.
Proactive dam removal prevents catastrophic failures and reduces costly emergency responses. Additional benefits of river barrier removal include: restored river ecosystems, preserved cultural practices, and rejuvenated Tribal lands and native fish populations that are often impaired by dams.
Barrier removal, although initially costly, often proves to be more affordable than expensive repairs, maintenance, and disaster recovery.
