The United States’ aging dam infrastructure is increasingly vulnerable to collapse due to ground movement, climate-driven extreme weather, and inadequate funding for repairs. New research leveraging satellite data reveals that thousands of dams across the country may be in worse condition than previously understood, posing a growing threat to public safety and critical infrastructure.
Hidden Structural Weaknesses
Satellite imagery analysis has identified dozens of dams, including the largest in Texas (Livingston Dam), that are exhibiting signs of instability due to shifting ground beneath them. These movements, often undetected by traditional inspections, can cause cracks and structural weakening, particularly when different parts of the dam are moving at different rates.
Researchers at Virginia Tech and The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health have found evidence of significant deformation in 41 high-hazard hydroelectric dams across 13 states and Puerto Rico. For example, Livingston Dam is sinking on its northern side while rising on the southern side at roughly 0.3 inches (8 millimeters) per year. While not immediately catastrophic, such discrepancies demand immediate investigation.
This is not a theoretical risk. The tragic 2023 collapse of two dams in Libya, resulting in up to 24,000 deaths, underscores the devastating consequences of dam failure linked to land elevation changes. A 2025 study confirmed that the Libyan dams were already structurally compromised due to years of deformation.
Climate Change Amplifies the Problem
Ground shifts are just one piece of the puzzle. The U.S. has over 92,600 dams, with 16,700 classified as “high-hazard potential” – meaning their failure could cause loss of life and massive property damage. Most were built over 50 years ago, and around 2,500 require repairs costing billions, but remain unfixed.
Global warming exacerbates the issue. Changing rainfall patterns, increased drought in some regions, and more frequent extreme weather events are pushing dams beyond their original design limits. A recent study found that the risk of dam overtopping – when water exceeds the dam’s capacity and floods downstream – has risen at 33 dams over the past 50 years, including Whitney Dam in Texas and Milford Dam in Kansas, threatening populations in cities like Waco and Junction City.
The Funding Gap
Fixing the problem requires massive investment. Rehabilitating the most critical dams alone is estimated to cost $37.4 billion, a figure that continues to rise as repairs are delayed. Many dam owners, particularly smaller entities, cannot afford the necessary maintenance.
Satellite monitoring offers a potential early warning system, but its implementation also adds costs. While some experts are skeptical about the sole reliance on satellite data, others see it as a valuable tool to prioritize repairs and prevent catastrophic failures.
“Identifying issues at dams is critical in preventing failures,” says John Roche, a dam regulator in Maryland. “The lack of timely rehabilitation…will lead to increased public safety risks.”
The combination of aging infrastructure, climate change, and limited funding creates a dangerous situation. Satellites can help identify at-risk dams, but the ultimate solution lies in prioritizing repairs and investing in the long-term resilience of the nation’s water infrastructure.
