| Innovations & dam safety
sure that they are appropriately maintained to prevent failure. “The Low-Head Dam Inventory Act will protect the safety of Hudson Valley recreationalists,” says Congressman Ryan who represents the 18th district of New York. “Usually concealed entirely by water, low-head dams are sometimes known for pushing swimmers and kayakers underwater and trapping them in a strong recirculating current. There is currently no national inventory of low-head dams, leaving outdoor enthusiasts unaware of their existence and the life-threatening dangers they pose. The Low- Head Dam Inventory Act will address this gap and require officials to track the location and conditions of such dams.” Kevin Colburn, National Stewardship Director at American Whitewater said: “Low head dams represent a severe hazard to Americans that enjoy the simple pleasure of paddling our nation’s many rivers and streams in canoes, kayaks, and rafts. We are extremely grateful for Congressmen Edwards’ and Ryan’s leadership in the effort to map these dams and share their locations with the public. This effort will save lives and support the thriving economy and healthy lifestyle associated with river-based recreation.” Describing the National Dam Safety Programme and the High Hazard Potential Dam Rehabilitation Grant Programme as ‘two key pillars of the nation’s dam safety efforts’, ASCE President Marsia Geldert- Murphey says the legislation includes needed reforms that will ensure money flows more freely to states to help improve and expand access to federal dam rehabilitation funds.
Water resources ASDSO also met with House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee staff as part of the committee’s stakeholder engagement to urge them to include the reauthorisation and amendments as part of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA). The Water Resources Development Act is a
comprehensive legislative package that provides for the conservation and development of water and related resources. It authorizes the Secretary of the Army, through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for
Civil Works, to conduct studies, construct projects and research activities that can lead to the improvement of rivers and harbors of the United States. ASDSO met also with members of Congress who sit on this committee to encourage them to submit these provisions as part of their own submissions regarding what they want included in this year’s WRDA bill. That outreach effort was successful with several offices joining together in a bipartisan request to the committee to include the language of H.R. 6931 in WRDA. It is now up to the committee to determine what will be included in this year’s WRDA bill. ASDSO will continue to engage with the committee and its members over the next several months as this year’s WRDA bill progresses, including urging additional members to cosponsor H.R. 6931.
40th anniversary ASDSO is looking ahead to later in the year when
it will be holding Dam Safety 2024 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, celebrating its 40th Anniversary.
Recipients of the association’s 2024 awards
programme will also be acknowledged during the event, and the nomination window is still open until 3 May. Individuals do not need to be an ASDSO member to be nominated or submit a nomination.
Left: Dam Model Competition Winners at Dam Safety 2023, Wyoming Indian Elementary School
Above: Dam Model Competition Winners at Dam Safety 2023, Franklin Regional Middle School
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