Vermont strengthens dam safety to prevent future flooding disasters

Vermont is overhauling dam safety regulations after last year's catastrophic flooding damaged numerous dams and endangered communities.

Peter D'Auria reports for VTDigger.

In short:

• Inspectors found that five dams failed, 50 were significantly damaged, and 57 were overtopped during last year's floods.
• The state is implementing stricter regulations and renovation projects to mitigate future flood risks and ensure dam safety.
• Vermont's new legislation, Act 121, increases funding and staffing for dam safety, bringing oversight of all state dams under one agency by 2028.

Key quote:

“It’s a big deal. The dam safety program is evolving significantly, in a good direction.”

— Neil Kamman, director of the Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation’s Water Investment Division.

Why this matters:

The new regulations aim to enhance the structural integrity of dams across Vermont, ensuring they can withstand increasingly extreme weather patterns linked to climate change. This move is not just about preventing future disasters but also about protecting the environment and public health.