High Hazard Dams With Overdue Inspections

High hazard dams — those where failure would probably cause loss of human life — typically require regular inspections to identify safety deficiencies before they become emergencies. Most states mandate inspections every 1-5 years for high hazard dams.

Currently, 9,647 high hazard dams in the National Inventory of Dams show a last inspection date more than 5 years ago. While some of these may reflect data reporting delays rather than missed inspections, the gap between the recorded inspection date and today raises questions about ongoing monitoring.

This data comes from the NID and may not reflect inspections conducted but not yet reported to federal databases. For the most current inspection status, contact your state dam safety program.

Overdue Inspections by State

StateOverdue High Hazard DamsOldest Inspection
North Carolina123001/01/2001
Texas109601/03/2024
Missouri56701/01/1991
Georgia48001/01/2005
California46001/06/2026
South Carolina43501/03/2024
Colorado32101/09/2024
Pennsylvania31301/04/2021
New York30501/02/2024
Mississippi26901/05/2023
Kansas26001/03/2020
Washington25401/04/2019
Virginia24501/06/2021
Ohio22801/21/2021
West Virginia17901/04/2016
Tennessee17701/04/2024
Utah17303/23/2023
Massachusetts16301/05/2024
Indiana16301/01/1962
Oklahoma14201/01/1980
Kentucky13901/29/2025
New Mexico13601/14/2021
Connecticut13401/05/2024
Nevada13201/31/2022
Illinois12402/02/2024
Wisconsin11202/22/2023
New Jersey10601/04/2024
Nebraska10503/28/2024
Montana10201/04/2021
Arkansas9701/01/2000
Hawaii8901/09/2025
Arizona8301/08/2024
Michigan8201/01/1901
Oregon7901/20/2022
New Hampshire7803/23/2021
Wyoming7304/05/2022
Vermont6501/01/1987
Iowa5903/15/2021
Idaho5603/15/2023
Florida4901/29/2025
Maryland4801/29/2024
Maine4204/01/2022
Alabama4001/04/2000
South Dakota3404/09/2023
Delaware2804/11/2024
Minnesota2302/23/2021
Puerto Rico2201/10/2020
Alaska2105/20/2019
North Dakota1205/21/2025
Louisiana1204/10/2021
Rhode Island403/28/2017
Guam105/07/2025

Largest Dams With Overdue Inspections

DamStateHeight (ft)Last InspectionYears AgoConditionEAP
Thompson MtisIdaho78906/05/20197FairYes
OrovilleCalifornia77006/06/20233FairYes
Hoover DamNevada73002/09/20233Not AvailableYes
Dworshak DamIdaho71706/23/20224Not AvailableYes
New Melones DamCalifornia62504/27/20224Not AvailableYes
MossyrockWashington60608/20/20251UnsatisfactoryYes
Shasta DamCalifornia60202/11/20224Not AvailableYes
Yankee Doodle Tailings DamMontana57002/12/20206SatisfactoryYes
Hungry Horse DamMontana56406/24/20215Not AvailableYes
RossWashington54008/15/20224SatisfactoryYes
Trinity DamCalifornia53804/20/20224Not AvailableYes
Yellowtail DamMontana52504/25/20233Not AvailableYes
North Block Tailings Impoundment DamNevada52005/13/20206Not RatedYes
Cougar DamOregon51905/17/20224Not AvailableYes
Flaming Gorge DamUtah50206/29/20224Not AvailableYes
Fontana DamNorth Carolina48002/15/20242Not AvailableYes
Morrow Point DamColorado46807/19/20233Not AvailableYes
Carters Main DamGeorgia46405/09/20233Not AvailableYes
Detroit DamOregon46304/13/20260Not AvailableYes
Anderson Ranch DamIdaho45607/27/20215Not AvailableYes
Round ButteOregon44006/08/20224FairYes
New Waddell DamArizona44004/19/20224Not AvailableYes
Pine Flat DamCalifornia44005/20/20215Not AvailableYes
Mud Mountain DamWashington42505/15/20215Not AvailableYes
PyramidCalifornia42205/06/20251FairYes
Libby DamMontana42207/16/20251Not AvailableYes
Owyhee DamOregon41707/14/20224Not AvailableYes
Swift No. 1Washington41205/03/20224FairYes
Harmar Refuse BankPennsylvania41004/02/20206SatisfactoryYes
Hell HoleCalifornia41008/22/20233FairYes
Little Blue RunPennsylvania40003/26/20215FairYes
Jordanelle DamUtah39107/09/20206Not AvailableYes
Blue Mesa DamColorado39007/18/20233Not AvailableYes
DiabloWashington38908/16/20224SatisfactoryYes
Green Peter DamOregon37806/11/20251Not AvailableYes
BoundaryWashington36005/24/20224FairYes
Abiquiu DamNew Mexico35404/25/20233Not AvailableYes
Arrowrock DamIdaho35005/05/20215Not AvailableYes
Hills Creek DamOregon34107/12/20233Not AvailableYes
San VicenteCalifornia33807/23/20242SatisfactoryYes
Bailey Mine Area No. 3 SlurryPennsylvania33708/03/20206SatisfactoryYes
Watauga DamTennessee33203/27/20251Not AvailableYes
AlderWashington33001/23/20233SatisfactoryYes
Ridgway DamColorado33006/10/20206Not AvailableYes
Salt SpringsCalifornia32808/20/20251SatisfactoryYes
Crystal DamColorado32307/20/20233Not AvailableYes
Cerrillos DamPuerto Rico32306/16/20215SatisfactoryYes
Ruedi DamColorado32205/16/20224Not AvailableYes
Parker DamArizona32003/11/20224Not AvailableYes
DonnellsCalifornia31707/25/20233SatisfactoryYes
CourtrightCalifornia31508/17/20233SatisfactoryYes
Bailey Mine Slurry ImpoundmentPennsylvania31508/03/20206SatisfactoryYes
MerwinWashington31304/19/20224FairYes
DillonColorado31007/27/20224SatisfactoryYes
Cobre Main Tailings DamNew Mexico31007/01/20206SatisfactoryYes
OlivenhainCalifornia30905/28/20251SatisfactoryYes
Bartlett DamArizona30903/04/20206Not AvailableYes
Green Mountain DamColorado30901/09/20242Not AvailableYes
Hiwassee DamNorth Carolina30704/09/20251Not AvailableYes
Horse Mesa DamArizona30504/05/20233Not AvailableYes
Monticello DamCalifornia30403/10/20206Not AvailableYes
GorgeWashington30008/17/20224SatisfactoryYes
Mathies Mine Refuse Area Pond #2Pennsylvania30004/01/20215FairYes
Lewis SmithAlabama30003/23/20224SatisfactoryYes
Sly CreekCalifornia29908/22/20233SatisfactoryYes
Granby DamColorado29808/06/20206Not AvailableYes
Jennings Randolph DamMaryland29606/03/20242Not AvailableYes
Seminoe DamWyoming29506/28/20233Not AvailableYes
Blue LakeAlaska29408/01/20224SatisfactoryYes
Upper Stillwater DamUtah29208/04/20215Not AvailableYes
Amistad DamTexas28701/31/20242PoorYes
Lower BakerWashington28507/11/20224PoorYes
South Holston DamTennessee28507/10/20242Not AvailableYes
Diamond Valley LakeCalifornia28402/04/20251SatisfactoryYes
Lemon DamColorado28408/23/20224Not AvailableYes
BeardsleyCalifornia28407/25/20233FairYes
Alamo DamArizona28302/19/20251Not AvailableYes
Laurel DamKentucky28203/30/20224Not AvailableYes
Merrill Creek Main DamNew Jersey28006/12/20242SatisfactoryYes
Harry L. Englebright DamCalifornia28006/27/20242Not AvailableYes
Bradbury DamCalifornia27902/16/20233Not AvailableYes
Lookout Point DamOregon27606/13/20242Not AvailableYes
Cushman No 2Washington27505/19/20224SatisfactoryYes
Ridges Basin DamColorado27306/28/20233Not AvailableYes
Soldier Creek DamUtah27206/08/20215Not AvailableYes
Cushman No 1Washington27205/19/20224FairYes
Palisades DamIdaho27005/11/20215Not AvailableYes
Alcova DamWyoming26506/09/20215Not AvailableYes
New Spicer MeadowCalifornia26508/09/20224SatisfactoryYes
Homestake ProjectColorado26508/17/20224SatisfactoryYes
CulmbackWashington26205/14/20215SatisfactoryYes
Noxon RapidsMontana26007/26/20224FairYes
East Canyon DamUtah26006/01/20233Not AvailableYes
Table Rock DamMissouri26005/24/20233Not AvailableYes
Wolf Creek DamKentucky25807/15/20251Not AvailableYes
Gathright DamVirginia25708/18/20251Not AvailableYes
MccloudCalifornia25508/02/20233FairYes
Ririe DamIdaho25305/04/20215Not AvailableYes
Sugar PineCalifornia25105/22/20251SatisfactoryYes
Cochiti DamNew Mexico25107/22/20224Not AvailableYes