Document Type

Report

Publisher

Utah State University

Publication Date

7-2025

Keywords

dams, water, climate, barrier removal

First Page

1

Last Page

12

Abstract

Millions of dams and in-stream barriers have been built worldwide to manage water supply, reduce flood risk, generate hydropower, and support recreation, navigation, and road infrastructure. The National Aquatic Barrier Inventory estimates over 550,000 dams and over 298,000 road-related barriers that fragment streams in the United States1. As dams age and as droughts and floods become more intense, some dams and barriers have become problems, for example, by outliving their useful life, presenting safety concerns to communities, and impacting ecosystems, especially in a changing climate. These dams – the ones that present safety concerns due to their age and deferred maintenance – should be considered candidates for removal as a strategy for climate resilience and to help communities prepare for and respond to increasingly volatile weather.

Download

Share

COinS