asset: state-dam-safety-classification

asset_type: inspection-interval

body: State-by-state comparison of dam safety programs: hazard classification systems, inspection frequencies, who must inspect, and dam owner obligations. Each record is one (state, hazard class) pair with the classification name, criteria for that class, required inspection interval, inspector qualifications, and whether inspections are mandatory or voluntary. Covers the ~91,000 non-federal dams in the US. Answers 'how often must my dam be inspected in [state]', 'what hazard classification is my dam', 'do I need a licensed engineer for inspections in [state]', and 'what are the penalties for non-compliance'. The ASDSO published a 50-state summary in 2020 as a PDF; it is now 6 years stale and not structured for search. This asset maintains the current state of each program from each state's own dam safety statute and program pages.

key_field: state

licence: US state government works — public domain

title: Dam safety hazard classification, inspection frequency, and owner obligations by US state

type: dataset


body:
**State:** California

**Hazard classification:** Extremely High

**Classification criteria:** Expected to cause considerable loss of human life or would result in an inundation area with a population of 1,000 or more.

**Inspection frequency:** annually

**Mandatory:** yes

**Inspector qualification:** Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD)

**Statute:** California Water Code

> Expected to cause considerable loss of human life or would result in an

Source: <https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/All-Programs/Division-of-Safety-of-Dams/Files/Publications/Division-of-Safety-of-Dams-Definitions-for-Downstream-Hazard-and-Condition-Assessment.pdf>

hazard_class: Extremely High

inspection_frequency: annually

inspection_mandatory: yes

inspector_qualification: Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD)

state: California

statute_citation: California Water Code

title: California — Dam safety hazard classification, inspection frequency, and owner obligations by US state

type: inspection-interval

unverified_fields: classification_criteria, hazard_class, inspection_frequency, inspection_mandatory, inspector_qualification, state, statute_citation


body:
**State:** California

**Hazard classification:** High

**Classification criteria:** Expected to cause loss of at least one human life.

**Inspection frequency:** annually

**Mandatory:** yes

**Inspector qualification:** Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD)

**Statute:** California Water Code

> Expected to cause loss of at least one human life.

Source: <https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/All-Programs/Division-of-Safety-of-Dams/Files/Publications/Division-of-Safety-of-Dams-Definitions-for-Downstream-Hazard-and-Condition-Assessment.pdf>

hazard_class: High

unverified_fields: hazard_class, inspection_frequency, inspection_mandatory, inspector_qualification, state, statute_citation


body:
**State:** Michigan

**Hazard classification:** High

**Classification criteria:** Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) are required for high and significant hazard dams

**Inspection frequency:** every 3 years

**Mandatory:** yes

**Inspector qualification:** professional engineer licensed in Michigan

**Statute:** Part 315, Dam Safety, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451

> High hazard dams require an inspection report to be submitted every three years. Inspection reports must be prepared, signed, and sealed by a professional engineer licensed in Michigan.

Source: <https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/dam-safety/rules-regs>

inspection_frequency: every 3 years

state: Michigan

title: Michigan — Dam safety hazard classification, inspection frequency, and owner obligations by US state

unverified_fields: classification_criteria, inspection_frequency, inspection_mandatory, statute_citation


body:
**State:** Vermont

**Hazard classification:** High

**Classification criteria:** Probable or Certain (one or more) (extensive downstream residential, commercial, or industrial development)

**Inspection frequency:** 2 years

**Mandatory:** no

**Inspector qualification:** Dam Safety Program or an engineer hired by the Owner

**Statute:** 10 V.S.A. § 1105

> High | Probable or Certain (one or more) (extensive downstream residential, commercial, or industrial development) | Not considered for this classification | Not considered for this classification | Not considered for this classification | 2 years

Source: <https://dec.vermont.gov/water-investment/dam-safety/inspection-program>

inspection_frequency: 2 years

inspection_mandatory: no

state: Vermont

title: Vermont — Dam safety hazard classification, inspection frequency, and owner obligations by US state

unverified_fields: inspection_mandatory, inspector_qualification, state, statute_citation


body:
**State:** California

**Hazard classification:** Low

**Classification criteria:** No probable loss of human life and low economic and environmental losses. Losses are expected to be principally limited to the owner's property.

**Inspection frequency:** annually

**Mandatory:** yes

**Inspector qualification:** Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD)

**Statute:** California Water Code

> No probable loss of human life and low economic and environmental losses.

Source: <https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/All-Programs/Division-of-Safety-of-Dams/Files/Publications/Division-of-Safety-of-Dams-Definitions-for-Downstream-Hazard-and-Condition-Assessment.pdf>

hazard_class: Low

unverified_fields: classification_criteria, inspection_frequency, inspection_mandatory, inspector_qualification, state, statute_citation


body:
**State:** Michigan

**Hazard classification:** Low

**Classification criteria:** Dams that are over six feet in height and impound five acres or more

**Inspection frequency:** every 5 years

**Mandatory:** yes

**Inspector qualification:** professional engineer licensed in Michigan

**Statute:** Part 315, Dam Safety, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451

> Low hazard dams require an inspection report to be submitted every five years.

Source: <https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/dam-safety/rules-regs>

inspection_frequency: every 5 years


body:
**State:** Vermont

**Hazard classification:** Low

**Classification criteria:** None Expected loss of life; Private agricultural lands, equipment and isolated non-occupied buildings, non-major roads; No disruption of services – repairs are cosmetic or rapidly repairable damage; Minimal incremental damage

**Inspection frequency:** 10 years

**Mandatory:** no

**Inspector qualification:** Dam Safety Program or an engineer hired by the Owner

**Statute:** 10 V.S.A. § 1105

> Low | None Expected | Private agricultural lands, equipment and isolated non-occupied buildings, non-major roads | No disruption of services – repairs are cosmetic or rapidly repairable damage | Minimal incremental damage | 10 years

Source: <https://dec.vermont.gov/water-investment/dam-safety/inspection-program>

inspection_frequency: 10 years


body:
**State:** Vermont

**Hazard classification:** Minimal

**Classification criteria:** Same as LOW hazard; None property losses

**Inspection frequency:** 10 years

**Mandatory:** no

**Inspector qualification:** Dam Safety Program or an engineer hired by the Owner

**Statute:** 10 V.S.A. § 1105

> Minimal | Same as LOW hazard | None

Source: <https://dec.vermont.gov/water-investment/dam-safety/inspection-program>

hazard_class: Minimal

source_quote: Minimal | Same as LOW hazard | None


body:
**State:** California

**Hazard classification:** Significant

**Classification criteria:** No probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, impacts to critical facilities, or other significant impacts.

**Inspection frequency:** annually

**Mandatory:** yes

**Inspector qualification:** Division of Safety of Dams (DSOD)

**Statute:** California Water Code

> No probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental

Source: <https://water.ca.gov/-/media/DWR-Website/Web-Pages/Programs/All-Programs/Division-of-Safety-of-Dams/Files/Publications/Division-of-Safety-of-Dams-Definitions-for-Downstream-Hazard-and-Condition-Assessment.pdf>

hazard_class: Significant


body:
**State:** Michigan

**Hazard classification:** Significant

**Classification criteria:** Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) are required for high and significant hazard dams

**Inspection frequency:** every 4 years

**Mandatory:** yes

**Inspector qualification:** professional engineer licensed in Michigan

**Statute:** Part 315, Dam Safety, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451

> Significant hazard dams require an inspection report to be submitted every four years.

Source: <https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/dam-safety/rules-regs>

inspection_frequency: every 4 years


body:
**State:** Vermont

**Hazard classification:** Significant

**Classification criteria:** None expected loss of life; Major or extensive public and private facilities property losses; Disruption of essential or critical facilities and access; Major or extensive mitigation required or impossible to mitigate

**Inspection frequency:** 5 years

**Mandatory:** no

**Inspector qualification:** Dam Safety Program or an engineer hired by the Owner

**Statute:** 10 V.S.A. § 1105

> Significant | None expected | Major or extensive public and private facilities | Disruption of essential or critical facilities and access | Major or extensive mitigation required or impossible to mitigate | 5 years

Source: <https://dec.vermont.gov/water-investment/dam-safety/inspection-program>

inspection_frequency: 5 years

unverified_fields: classification_criteria, inspection_mandatory, inspector_qualification, state, statute_citation