{"id":6027,"date":"2019-04-05t11:40:20","date_gmt":"2019-04-05t16:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.dicovercards.com\/?p=6027"},"modified":"2023-11-21t15:31:08","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21t21:31:08","slug":"dam-removal-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/\/www.dicovercards.com\/dam-removal-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"dam removal: alternative to costly maintenance & repairs"},"content":{"rendered":"

significance & purpose of dams\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

for centuries, dams have played an important role in the vitality of lake and river communities<\/a>. they are used to generate electricity, reduce flood risks, store water<\/a>, and provide irrigation to the surrounding area. dams and spillways also ensure consistent water levels for recreational use and assist with nutrient storage. for decades dams were a sign of progress and man\u2019s ability to harness the power of nature. however, due to a plethora of energy options now available, that\u2019s changing. \u201cdams must be installed and maintained properly. there\u2019re also an outdated, failing infrastructure to consider that\u2019s often economically unfeasible to maintain or replace,\u201d explains wes farrand, civil engineer for snyder & associates<\/a>.<\/p>\n

determining the cost & funding of dam removal<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"completed<\/a>

little dam was considered a low-head dam which conveys significant safety issues.<\/p><\/div>\n

there\u2019s a direct relationship between the size and complexity of a dam and the cost to remove it. a small, earthen dam may cost tens of thousands of dollars to remove while a low-head dam removal could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. removing a large, concrete dam can easily run into the millions of dollars.<\/p>\n

many funding assistance options<\/a> are available through agencies and foundations that provide assistance for river restoration and dam removal. examples of funding options include the clean water state revolving fund (cwsrf) and epa grants<\/a> (clean water act and section 319).<\/p>\n

overall safety improvements<\/strong><\/h2>\n

the water near a dam may appear calm and smooth, but it\u2019s often too strong for boaters and swimmers to safely navigate. strong turbulence and recirculating currents can easily push boats and people underwater, and then pull them back to the face of the dam in a repeating cycle. every year, dozens of people drown near dams in the united states. deconstructing a dam removes that safety hazard.<\/p>\n

additionally, without consistent monitoring and maintenance, small earthen dams will deteriorate and fail. the incredible volume of water that releases when an earthen dam fails poses a serious safety risk and can cause devastating damage downstream. the safety risk presented by dams is further illustrated with two recent projects our team worked on.<\/p>\n