High hazard dams may take 120 years to be repaired due to lack of funding

SALT LAKE CITY —  Utah has around 100 dams that are considered to be high hazard and need rehabilitation. However, with current funding, it could take the state years to fully address. 

Three main factors go into determining the hazard level of a dam: the spillway, the stability of the slope and seepage.

The spillway, the channel used to regulate the discharge of water, must have the reservoir level at its crest. 

The slope of  the dam itself  is looked at in terms of  being able to withstand an earthquake. 

Any water seepage from cracks also adds to a classification of a hazardous dam.

The Utah Division of Water Rights is in charge of determining which dams need the most attention.

“As far as our high-hazard dams, we have around 101 of them that need to meet minimum safety standards. That’s kinda what we are looking at right now,” said Michael Sanchez, of the Division of Water Resources. 

While the Division of Water Resources checks the safety of state-owned dams, most dams are privately owned. For those dams, it’s up to their owners to report any problems.

Currently, Utah allocates 3.8 million dollars each year to rehabilitate dams. Comparatively, each dam would cost around $5 million to replace.

“At the current funding rate, this could take 120 years to upgrade all the high-hazard dams to minimum safety standards. So it’s going to take a little bit,” said Sanchez. 

The dam at Panguitch Lake and the dam at Kolob Reservoir are currently being monitored after seepage was found following the spring runoff.

Related: FEMA to give Utah money to fix high-hazard dams