Vermont floods highlight risks to aging dams in the state.

The recent flooding in Vermont has intensified concerns regarding the state’s numerous aging dams, with about a third of them over a century old. While this week’s deluge, a result of Hurricane Beryl’s remnants, did not cause as much damage as last year’s floods—during which five dams failed and nearly 60 were compromised—the frequency of such severe weather raises alarms about the resilience of these structures amid climate change.

Andrew Fisk, northeast regional director of American Rivers, emphasized that many dams, particularly older ones not designed for flood control, often lack the capacity to manage significant water flow. Instead of preventing flooding, they can exacerbate erosion and harm communities by directing water at high velocities outside their main channels.

This issue is not unique to Vermont. Across the U.S., many dams are overtopping or failing during intense rain events. For example, the Rapidan Dam in Minnesota experienced substantial damage in one of its worst floods, while Texas faced spillway damage at Lake Livingston Dam due to flooding.

There are approximately 90,000 significant dams nationwide, with at least 4,000 in poor or unsatisfactory condition, posing risks to lives and the environment if they fail, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Regular inspections, upgrades, and emergency repairs are essential.

Vermont’s dams, mostly built to support textile mills and irrigation, are increasingly viewed as outdated. The risk of failure is heightened by climate change, which brings storms for which these structures were never designed. The severe floods last year prompted increased scrutiny of the state’s dams, particularly after near disasters in Montpelier, where a dam threatened to overflow.

In response to the growing urgency, Vermont has invested more than $1.5 million to stabilize and repair storm-damaged dams and increased staffing in the dam safety program from five to nine. The legislature has also allocated an additional $4 million for dam safety efforts, up from $200,000.

So far, this year’s flooding has resulted in minimal damage, with only one low-hazard dam overtopping without significant impact on property or roads. Inspections revealed that critical flood control reservoirs, such as those in the Winooski River Valley, are functioning effectively. Although the recent floods occurred before the new funding could be utilized, the experiences from last year helped inform a more coordinated response this time.

Neil Kamman, director of Vermont’s Water Investment Division, noted that having a prepared response plan made a significant difference in managing the current flooding situation.