NRCS Promotes National Dam Safety Awareness Day

May 31 marks the anniversary of the South Fork Dam failure of 1889 that launched dam safety into national awareness. The day serves as a reminder to remain vigilant caretakers of the nation’s 84,000-plus dams. 
 
Age affects the performance of everything, including watershed infrastructure. Attention and ongoing maintenance is the responsibility of both the dam owner and the community it serves — requiring a coordinated, collective effort to ensure dams continue to function as intended…as silent protectors. To help communities remain vigilant, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offers dam safety resources for communities. 

NRCS’s Role in Dam Safety

Since 1948, NRCS has assisted local sponsors in constructing over 11,850 dams. Through the Watershed Rehabilitation Program (REHAB), NRCS helps project sponsors rehabilitate aging dams that are reaching the end of their design life and/or no longer meet federal or state safety criteria or performance standards. 

REHAB can also help build or augment existing water supplies based on current and future water supply demands. Nationwide, watershed REHAB projects have provided over $2.2 billion in reduced flooding and erosion damage. Additional benefits include improving wildlife habitat, recreation, water quality and supply for an estimated 47 million people. 

The goal of the Watershed REHAB program is to provide local sponsors with technical and financial assistance to address concerns before they become a liability. Sponsors can submit a request for financial assistance to NRCS. For more information on sponsor eligibility visit our Sponsorship Eligibility webpage.

Additional sponsor resources include:

• Watershed Programs Sponsor Guide
• REHAB Sponsor Request for Assistance Template
• WFPO Sponsor Request for Assistance

When funding is allocated, the sponsor and NRCS enter into an agreement that defines the roles and responsibilities of each party to complete the rehabilitation project.

A watershed plan is developed for each project to address environmental impacts, costs, benefits, planned conservation practices, and the responsibilities of involved parties. A variety of agencies and organizations can assist sponsors with developing a plan.

NRCS provides technical and financial assistance to sponsors and assists them with the planning, design, and construction of the projects.

Dam Watch

NRCS partnered with the U.S. Engineering Solutions Corporation to implement Dam Watch which assists in monitoring dams across 47 states, including Puerto Rico, and provides web-based monitoring of dams during rainfall, snowmelt or seismic events. 

How Prepared Are You? 

No one likes to think the worst-case scenario might happen or could happen; yet, weather is unpredictable. It’s important to ensure that your family and community is prepared in case of an emergency. Most dams are hidden from view and over time their whereabouts become unknown as ownership changes. When people live in an area that could flood due to dam failure, the potential of dam failure exists. To learn more about preparing for an emergency visit the National Dam Safety Awareness Day webpage.