Dams

View of river in Washington State surrounded by lush forest.

GAO: Washington State Slow on Clean Water Reporting

The Clean Water Act mandates reporting of ‘impaired waters’ to support conservation and restoration efforts.

December 19, 2023 - High Country News

View of Glen Canyon Dam with vertical red stone cliffs on either side, Colorado River at bottom, and dusk sky in background.

The Life and Death of American Dams

Many of the nation’s largest dam projects are reaching the end of their useful lives, helped along by nature.

November 1, 2023 - Governing

Aerial view of Eel River running through California forest

The Nation’s Most Endangered Rivers

An annual list from American Rivers highlights the waterways most at risk from climate change, poor water management, pollution, and other dangers.

April 19, 2023 - American Rivers

Water rushes over a spillway at a large concrete dam.

Congressional Bills Could Hit Refresh on U.S. Dams

The 21st Century Dams Act, a proposal to remove four dams on the lower Snake River, and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act all have a chance to redefine the country's approach to dams and watersheds.

August 25, 2021 - American Rivers

Lake Powell

Lake Powell's Houseboat Launches Running Dry

Record low water levels are sinking Lake Powell's houseboat industry as climate change threatens water supplies in the West.

August 5, 2021 - The Guardian

Idaho

2021 Most Endangered Rivers List Highlights Environmental Justice

The annual list of endangered rivers created by American Rivers has always documented pollution and other threats like dam construction, but this year, the confluence of water and systemic racism warrants extra attention.

April 19, 2021 - American Rivers

Michigan

Climate Change in Action: Massive Storms, Dam Failures

The dam failures that sent residents of Michigan scrambling last week can be connected to the extreme weather events created by climate change, according to experts.

May 24, 2020 - Inside Climate News

Midland, Michigan,

Dams Break in Michigan: Nation's Crumbling Infrastructure Takes Center Stage Again

Reports of catastrophic infrastructure failure today in Michigan, a state already facing some of the worst consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic.

May 20, 2020 - CNN

Niobrara River

The U.S. of Breaking and Broken Dams

New analysis of high-hazard dams reveals the ubiquity, and risks, of the infrastructure challenges facing the United States.

November 12, 2019 - AP News

Shasta Lake

Environmental Study of Shasta Dam Project Halted

The federal government was considering a plan to raise the height of the dam on California's largest reservoir. But the area’s water district recently announced that it will not continue with an environmental study of the project.

November 9, 2019 - High Country News

Feather River Dam

As Extreme Weather Becomes More Common, Dams Become More Vulnerable

There are more than 90,000s dams in the U.S.; many will never be visited by federal or state inspectors.

July 18, 2019 - Yale Environment 360

Flood

Corps of Engineers Faces Criticism for Flood Management

Recent heavy rains and flooding have put the the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the defensive about its flood control policies and procedures.

June 10, 2019 - The New York Times

Water Storage

Surface Storage Skepticism

California has used all its good dam sites, according to this column. And dams are unaffordable.

March 8, 2019 - The Mercury News

Feather River

Scientists Warn Mega-Storm Could Make 'Lakes' of California Cities

If you live in California, you've heard predictions of a disastrous earthquake dubbed "the big one." Now, scientists are warning of an epic rainstorm that could cause three times as much damage.

February 23, 2019 - Los Angeles Times

Lake Mead

A Plan to Transform the Hoover Dam into Energy Storage

A proposal by the nation's largest utility could be a model to deal with the most formidable problem presented by intermittent renewable electricity sources.

August 6, 2018 - The New York Times

Shasta Lake

Why Are the Feds Suddenly in Favor of Raising the Shasta Dam?

Despite state opposition and potential violations of California law, the Trump Administration has revived a project that was deemed impracticable only a few years ago.

March 18, 2018 - Los Angeles Times

Columbia River Gorge

White House Denies Funding to Replace Tribal Villages

The federal government appears to be reneging on yet another promise to Native American tribes.

November 6, 2017 - The Oregonian

Dam Inspection

Trump Budget Puts Monongahela River Dams and Locks Project at Risk

River infrastructure is often a target for budget cuts in presidential budgets, only to receive funding from Congress. A huge project to replace dams and locks on the Monongahela River hangs in the balance.

June 17, 2017 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Feather River Dam

The Case for Dam Removal

Where aging infrastructure is concerned, most of us don't immediately think of old dams. But there are a lot of them. Environmental advocates want to see them go, and in recent years de-damming has picked up speed.

April 7, 2017 - Next City

Hoover Dam

10 Water Policy and Infrastructure Realities

In celebration of Water Week in the United States, as well as World Water Day, as celebrated by the United Nations, Brookings has complied a list of ten facts about water policy and infrastructure.

March 22, 2017 - Brookings Institution

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

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