The potential failure of Alabama’s dams could lead to catastrophic flooding, destroying homes and endangering lives. Despite the risks, there is no state law mandating inspections for all dams, leaving many unmonitored and vulnerable.
Charles Miller, policy director for the Alabama Rivers Alliance, expressed concern about the possibility of dam failures. “We’ve seen them in other states, nearly happen in highly regulated dams in North Carolina during Hurricane Helene,” he said.
Across the United States, there are more than 92,000 dams, with nearly 17,000 classified as high hazard, meaning their failure could put lives at risk, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers…