ABOUT LHDI

Site Features

Overview

Data in the Low-Head Dam Inventory is based on information collected by the National Low Head Dam Inventory Task Force – which included professionals from a variety of organizations including Brigham Young University, the American Society for Civil Engineers, and the Association for State Dam Safety Officials.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers completed minimal review of this data to confirm the location of structures and that they appear to meet the definition to be included in the low-head dam inventory.

The quality and availability of low-head dam data vary greatly. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is committed to improving available information and ensuring it can support improved understanding of these dams and safety concerns.

Improving Available Data

Minimal review of this initial dataset was completed prior to it being published. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers teams continue to review the data, improving their locational information and marking structures for deletion that don’t meet the low-head dam definition. For dams that have been reviewed, there is a data field named “LHDI Status.”  This status refers to the review summary and the initial determination of whether the structure appears to be a low-head dam.

Users may notice that data is missing for many dams – such as who owns the dam and its current use. For larger dams in the U.S., responsible parties prioritize actions if there is danger to people and their lives. A similar approach could be used to prioritize gathering additional data for low-head dams, focusing on data gathering in areas where they pose the most risk to people.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will continue to work with others to refine and improve available data to help improve public safety.

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