Dams
  Goldsborough Creek | Upper and Lower Baker Dams | Hawaii Dam Break Analysis | Piedra Liza Dam

The average life expectancy of a dam is 50 years. Of the 75,000 dams documented in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Inventory of Dams, a significant number of dams in the U.S. have surpassed that age.
A public agency or private property owner challenged by a deteriorating structure needs a diverse team of professionals that can carefully evaluate alternative solutions and their associated impacts. An aging dam may be obsolete, no longer serving its intended purpose; may be a safety hazard; or may be degrading the surrounding habitat and ecosystem. In some cases, the best option for such dams is removal. Tetra Tech’s team has experience with all of the complicated issues involved in dam removal.

Conversely, the structure may still be a viable means of flood control, water supply, or hydroelectric power, but simply need improvement. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates these dams and issues licenses for use every 30 to 50 years. During the relicensing process, a dam owner must prove that the dam is in the best interest of the public, and make any improvements necessary to meet today’s environmental and socio-economic regulations. Tetra Tech’s planners, engineers and environmental scientists have the qualifications and experience to support dam modification projects.

Our dam removal and modification experience encompasses planning, agency coordination, and public involvement; hydrologic and hydraulic studies; sediment transport analysis; water quality analyses; fisheries habitat and passage design, ranging from fish screens and ladders to in-stream habitat and bioengineered bank protection; economic and environmental evaluation; plans and specifications development; cost estimation; and construction management.
Our well-rounded experience results in a holistic approach to every project. We are uniquely qualified to perform dam removal and modification projects. Over the past two decades, we have helped numerous clients resolve complicated issues, ultimately reaching the safest, most responsible solution.