A State Auditors report says the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality isn’t inspecting so-called “high hazard” dams fast enough. It says only 43% of those dams have been inspected over a five-year period, the goal is to inspect all of them at least once every five years. A “high hazard” dam is one that would cause a high loss of life and property if it were to have a structural failure.
Are people in danger because of the slow inspections? The TCEQ’s Terry Clauson says no. “We know of no dam in Texas that is in eminent danger of failure.” Clauson says to meet the five year target to get all of the dams inspected will take more money and staff. “The complete implementation of the recommendations contained in this audit is contingent upon Legislative support for additional full time employees and the funding needed to modify the dam safety program.”
