TULSA – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Tulsa District, operates 38 water resource projects which provide protection from downstream flooding. These projects, along with all Corps projects nationwide, have been evaluated for dam safety risk and designated in categories ranging from Low Risk to Extremely High Risk. The overall objective is to reduce the risks to public safety.

“Let me emphasize that currently there is no evidence to suggest that an emergency situation exists at any of our projects,” said Col. Michael Teague, district commander. “The district’s dams have been protecting lives and property in this part of the country for 70 years, and this assessment helps ensure that they continue to do so.”

The deficiencies that place dams in the Corps’ high risk categories generally are not new. In fact, the Corps has monitored these projects for many years. What is new is the process by which the Corps assesses and analyzes its dams to make sure any high risk projects receive the appropriate prioritization of funding for studies, investigations and remedial work. The Corps’ evaluation system considers public safety the top priority, so lakes sitting upstream of large population areas automatically are considered to have higher risk. Ratings could change as more information is received . . . (Contact the Tulsa District Public Affairs Office at CESWT-PA@usace.army.mil for the rating of the lake of interest to you.)