Old Age, Neglect And Changing Climate Are Making US Dams Dangerous

"In the face of more frequent and intense rainfall, dam failures are becoming the norm. What can be done with the underfunded relics?"

"ANNAPOLIS, Md. — DJ Buckley spent most of his afternoon on Aug. 3 picking up branches and debris out of the Annapolis Harbor.

After the Conowingo Dam opened 17 floodgates due to rising water levels, built-up debris came washing through into the harbor.

"I can't remember a time when I've seen that much in here," Buckley said.

The debris in the harbor led Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot to call out Pennsylvania for the amount of garbage and branches in the Susquehanna River, which flows through the Conowingo Dam and into the harbor. "

Heather Mongilio reports for Environmental Health News October 1, 2018.