Investigation finds some Nebraska high-hazard dams in poor condition

OMAHA, Neb. —

KETV and our national investigative team examined the safety of dams across the United States — reviewing records for more than 90,000 structures nationwide , including thousands in Nebraska and Iowa.

In Nebraska, there are nearly 3,000 registered Dams with an average age of 49 years.

In Iowa, there are more than 4,100 registered dams with an average age of 45 years.

When national records were incomplete, our national investigative team filed additional public records requests, asking state agencies for details such as: when each dam was built, hazard levels, conditions, location, and last inspection.

Dams are classified into four hazard levels:

Minimal or Low: A failure would cause little to no damage

Significant: Failure could cause economic or environmental harm