The Houston Chronicle reports that more than half of Texas dams are in danger of failing.  Some failures would be catastrophic.  Overall Texas dams received a grade of D- from the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2012.  The Chronicle looks at what might happen if the Barker and Addicks  dams which hold potential floodwaters from Braes and Buffalo Bayous were to fail.

Let’s look at at one disaster scenario for the Houston metro area. From a 2011 Chronicle op-ed: “If either Addicks or Barker Dam failed when water levels were high, stored stormwaters would erupt down Buffalo Bayou, inundating the Memorial Drive area and crossing Westheimer into the Brays Bayou watershed. Extensive damage would occur in River Oaks, the Central Business District and even the Texas Medical Center.”

The article was published after the Army Corps of Engineers rated the Addicks and Barker dams as “extremely high risk” in 2009. Only six dams in the country received this designation. The state has made some short-term repairs to the structures, and this year long-term rehabilitation finally should get under way. 

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers claims that there is no imminent danger of failure, but recognizes that problems exist.

It is important to know that Addicks and Barker dams are not in imminent danger of failing. These two dams form reservoirs that are dry much of the time. They are continuously monitored by a full-time staff to ensure their structural integrity. But, the fact that the Houston metropolitan area is the nation’s fourth largest population center is a primary concern. Any dam safety issues at Addicks and Barker could have a far greater impact due to the magnitude of people and property downstream, as opposed to other dams around the country in rural or low-population density areas.

Having our Addicks and Barker dams designated as “extremely high risk” is a big step toward increasing their safety. This designation moves them up to the front of the line for funding for repairs and studies, and all actions required for these two dams will be expedited.

If you live in Houston, keep your pirogue handy just in case.