May 31 is National Dam Safety Awareness Day, a time to recognize the critical role dams play in protecting lives, supporting communities, and strengthening our water infrastructure.
Across Oklahoma, more than 4,700 dams provide essential benefits, including:
- Flood risk reduction for downstream communities
- Water supply for homes, agriculture, and industry
- Hydropower generation and energy reliability
- Recreational opportunities and local economic benefits
As dams across the state continue to age, maintaining and rehabilitating these structures becomes increasingly important. Changing development patterns downstream and more frequent extreme weather events reinforce the need for ongoing inspections, emergency planning, maintenance, and investment in dam safety improvements.
National Dam Safety Awareness Day also commemorates the 1889 South Fork Dam failure in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where more than 2,200 lives were lost. The tragedy remains one of the deadliest infrastructure failures in United States history and serves as a lasting reminder of the importance of dam safety.
Dam safety is a shared responsibility that helps protect communities, infrastructure, water resources, and public safety for future generations.
For more information on dam safety topics and resources, visit the links below:
- OWRB Dam Safety Webpage
- ASDSO Roadmap to Reducing Dam Safety Risks
- ASDSO Awareness Center
- ASDSO Dam Owner Academy: Dams 101
- Access State Dam Safety Programs and Contacts
- USACE National Inventory of Dams & Low-Head Dams Inventory
