"As the nation's 84,000 dams continue to age, a growing number of people downstream are at risk, experts say.

That's not only because of older infrastructure but also because of population growth around some of the dams. More than a quarter were developed primarily for recreational purposes, according to National Inventory of Dams data from 2016.

'The nation’s dams are aging, and the number of high-hazard dams is on the rise,' according to a 2013 report from the American Society of Civil Engineers. 'Many of these dams were built as low-hazard dams protecting undeveloped agricultural land. However, with an increasing population and greater development below dams, the overall number of high-hazard dams continues to increase.'"

Benjamin Spillman, Jill Castellano, and Tracy Loew report for USA TODAY February 13, 2017. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Bureau Says Sacramento River Flood Maps A Secret" (Redding Record Searchlight) [3]

"High Hazard Nevada Dams Lack Emergency Plans" (Reno Gazette-Journal) [4]

"Disturbing Deficiencies Seen In California’s Dam Safety Efforts" (San Francisco Chronicle) [5]

"Alarms Raised Years Ago About Risks Of Oroville Dam’S Spillways" (San Francisco Chronicle) [6]

Editorial: "Mind The Gaps In Dam Safety" (San Francisco Chronicle) [7]

"9 Investigates: Hundreds Of NC Dams Still Lack Required Emergency Plan" (WSOC-TV) [8]

"After Oroville, Attention Turns To New York Dam Safety" (Lower Hudson Journal News) [9]

"How Safe Are Dams In New Mexico?" (KFOX-14) [10]

"California Dam Crisis: Could It Happen In Massachusetts?" (WCVB) [11]

"If Oroville Dam Failed, Residents Likely Would Not Be Advised In Time" (AP) [12]

"Oroville Crisis Highlights Risky Dams, Spotty Inspections Around U.S." (USA TODAY) [13]