Dams represent critical infrastructure with major importance and the potential to cause substantial economic and human impact, and in some cases catastrophic impact if they were to fail. Dams are designed and constructed with a minimal design life of 50 years, but in many cases are in use well into the 100 plus year range. It is important then to recognize the potential changes in climate that could occur throughout the design life of a dam and to evaluate the potential impacts of a range of potential climate events, and make an informed decision on what to accommodate at the time of initial design and construction for new dams, and major reconstruction for existing dams. The requirements to do so range widely in the individual states and federal programs from no consideration required, to some level of evaluation of impact of mostly the potential increase in precipitation. The intent of this table top discussion is to share what the facilitator is aware of, but also to hear what is happening within the states and within the organizations of the participants.
