Low-head Dams: Mitigating Danger and Liability

This webinar will introduce the attendees to the thousands of low-head dams in the country by describing their purpose, operation, and non-jurisdictional nature – that is, apart from national, state, and local dam safety programs. Dangerous countercurrents that can form at low-head dams, responsible for approximately 1,000 drownings, will be explained and illustrated. Legal case histories involving drownings will be examined and the best strategies to mitigate dangerous currents and liability will be shared.

Learning objectives attendees will receive from this webinar:

• Learn how to identify a low-head dam.
• Understand hydraulics of flow over low-head dams.
• Learn how to screen for the existence of a dangerous countercurrent.
• Learn about the nature of liability to low-head dam owners and local and state governments.
• Learn how to reduce dangers and liabilities at low-head dams.