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Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Century-old dam under strain as floods increase in US and federal funds dry up
More than 18,000 properties that sit downstream of a series of a century-old Ohio dam are at risk of flooding over the next three decades, according to climate data, as the Trump administration continues to roll back investments that would aid in keeping the waters at bay. In a part of the US that's largely flat, the view from above the Huffman dam in south-west Ohio is rare. From the bike trail atop the dam, the shimmering lights of downtown Dayton appear to the south. Cargo planes from a nearby air force base circle overhead and water from the 66-mile-long Mad River gushes underfoot. But the dam serves a far more pressing purpose: holding back up to 54bn gallons of water – enough to fill 82,000 Olympic-size swimming pools – during flooding events. Nearby, more than 21% of all properties downstream are at risk of flooding over the next three decades, according to First Street, a climate risk data modeling organization. That percentage accounts for 18,596 properties in Dayton. The five massive dry dams and 55 miles of levees west and north of Dayton were built in the aftermath of catastrophic destruction that befell the Ohio city in 1913, when 360 people died and flooding in three rivers that meet in the city center wiped out the downtown area. But today, it and many other communities around the midwest are once again at risk of flooding. 'Our system has experienced 2,170 storage events. The flood in April ranked 12th,' says MaryLynn Lodor, general manager of the Miami Conservancy District, the authority overseeing the regional flood prevention system that includes the Huffman Dam. The flooding early last April saw five to seven inches of rain inundate homes, roads and parks, and caused power outages for thousands of people across hundreds of miles. Extreme precipitation events are happening with increasing regularity at a time when, across a region that's home to the country's two major, high-discharge waterways – the Ohio and Mississippi rivers – decades-old flood prevention infrastructure is falling apart. From Indiana, where authorities in charge of a dam at a youth camp that sees 15,000 visitors annually warned of failure during last April's flooding, to Illinois and Minnesota, reports are appearing with increasing regularity of '100-year' floods threatening the integrity of, and in some cases destroying, dams. Five years ago, the Edenville Dam in central Michigan failed following days of heavy rain, prompting the evacuation of 10,000 people and the failure of another dam downstream. The dam is situated at the confluence of two rivers, and in 2018 its owner temporarily had its license taken away due to fears it couldn't pass enough water at high flood levels. Lawsuits and an expense report of $250m followed the dam failure. Data from Michigan's department of environment, Great Lakes and energy, found that of the state's recorded 2,552 dams, nearly 18% were rated as in 'fair', 'poor' or 'unsatisfactory' condition. Despite this, little change has been enacted in Michigan. 'The reason this is popping up everywhere in the country is because it's a massive ageing infrastructure problem,' says Bryan Burroughs, a member of a now-closed state taskforce that sought to investigate the status of dams across Michigan following the Edenville incident. He says the taskforce's recommendations have largely not been enacted. 'To date, the only ones that have been taken up and addressed to any level are the ones that our state department of environment, Great Lakes and energy are able to oversee themselves. Regulatory changes have not been picked up legislatively,' Burroughs continued. Through the Inflation Reduction Act, the Biden administration had made investing in America's ageing infrastructure over the course of many years a priority, with $10bn dedicated to flooding mitigation and drought relief. An additional $3bn was allocated in 2021 through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for dam safety, removal and related upgrades. Since Donald Trump entered the White House in January, the administration has vowed to roll back much of those investments. Hundreds of dam safety and other staffers working at dams in 17 western states have been laid off in recent months. Before the 4 July flood disaster in Texas, the Trump administration had pledged to close the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema). With more than 92,000 dams across the country, the Society of Civil Engineers estimates the cost of repairing the country's non-federal dams at $165bn. In Ohio, the Miami Conservancy District has been outspoken in highlighting that the dams it is responsible for are in need of repair – in particular, the upstream walls of two north of the city of Dayton. Levees it manages 'are subject to the costly, federally mandated Fema accreditation process, but there is no adequate funding source.' Last year, the district said it needs $140m to bring the region's dams and levees up to safe levels over the coming decades. Over the past 80 years, the organization has seen a 228% increase in the volume of water its dams store, meaning the structures today must work harder than they did in the past to hold back the water. 'As we're looking at having to make reinvestments, we are looking to try to secure some funding through the state and federal governments,' says Lodor. 'We have not gotten much support and federal dollars or state money to be able to do the system. It's already been invested in by the local communities; it would be very difficult for this to be on the backs of the locals.' Many dams hold back water that's used by fishers and recreators – an issue that's creating tension in many communities. In White Cloud, Michigan, authorities have had to draw down much of the lake water behind a 150-year-old dam due to fears for its structural integrity, angering locals. As in Texas, dozens of youth groups and Christian camps across the midwest use lakes and waterways downstream of ageing lowhead and other dams for programming and outdoor activities. Emails and messages left by the Guardian with the owners of an at-risk dam at a camp in Indiana used by thousands of children every year received no response. While compared with other parts of the US the midwest does not have a lot of dams whose main purpose is for flood control due to geological and topographical reasons, Ohio and much of the wider midwest have seen 'record-setting rain' this year. 'The weather has changed,' says Burroughs. 'What used to be a one-in-100-year flood event might have happened three times in the last 40 years.' Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘Giant traveling aquarium' coming to local park
A giant traveling aquarium will make its way to the Miami Valley on Thursday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Miami Conservancy District is hosting a 2,200-gallon exhibit featuring fish from the Miami Valley at Riverfront Park. TRENDING STORIES: Popular seasonal ice cream shop not reopening for 2025 season Nearly a dozen injured in shooting at busy tourist area of Myrtle Beach Police raid alleged unlicensed dispensary It will be at the park from noon until 5 p.m., according to MCD. The exhibit will give an up-close look at species like Bass, Redhorse, and Carp. The aquarium hopes to share the importance of a healthy river. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Miami Conservancy District stored 22.5B gallons during flooding
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – The Miami Conservancy District (MCD) shared on social media that it stored 22.5 billion gallons of water during the flooding event earlier this month. MCD said this was the 12th largest flood event in our region. Its system kept everyone in the Miami Valley safe. 'Full flood response mode': MCD fully activates flood protection system The systems protected homes, roads and businesses. It has been in place for over 100 years and is constantly monitored and updated. Crews are actively cleaning up the debris, checking for damage and lining up repairs. 'Thanks for trusting us to protect your community. We're on it,' said MCD. 'It's not just about what it did yesterday, it's about being ready for what's next.' Great Dayton flood: A disaster that shaped Ohio's history forever Even though 22.5 billion is a massive amount, the system's maximum capacity is 274 billion gallons. To learn more about the vital work MCD does, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Preparations underway for heavy rain, possible flooding ahead of severe weather
The entire region could see severe storms Wednesday into early Thursday morning. We could see damaging winds, hail, tornadoes, and heavy rain that could also lead to localized flooding. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Storm Center 7 team of meteorologists continue to monitor the latest timing and severe threats from Wednesday night's storms. Storm Center 7′s Britley Ritz has the latest timing and track LIVE on News Center 7 Daybreak from 4:25 a.m. until 7 a.m. TRENDING STORIES: 18-month-old found moments after Amber Alert issued in Montgomery County Val Kilmer, 'Top Gun' and Batman star with an intense approach, dies at 65 Increasing tornado threat, severe storms Wednesday night with damaging winds The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for the entire region starting tonight at 8 p.m. As much as six inches of rain may fall between Wednesday and Sunday, according to our Storm Center 7 team of meteorologists. As previously reported by News Center 7, changes will be made across the Great Miami River to prevent widespread flooding. The Miami Conservancy District (MCD) is responsible for making sure the Great Miami River does not spill over its banks and cause widespread flooding in riverfront communities like Troy, Dayton, and Miamisburg. 'It's not unprecedented, but it's a heavier, higher rainfall event,' said Mike Ekberg, hydrologist for the Miami Conservancy District. As part of the flood protection system, the Miami Conservancy District maintains five dams along the Great Miami River. 'The dam will begin to store water, and we'll get a temporary lake behind the dam,' said Ekberg. We will update this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Miami Conservancy District preparing for heavy rain, possible flooding ahead of severe weather
The entire region has an 'Enhanced' or level 3 out of 5, risk for severe storms Wednesday night into early Thursday morning. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for Auglaize, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Darke, Greene, Logan, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Preble, Shelby and Warren counties starting at 8 p.m. on Wednesday to 8:00 a.m. on Sunday. Randolph, Union and Wayne counties in Indiana are also included on this watch. TRENDING STORIES: Increasing threat for tornadoes, severe storms Wednesday night 'He was my protector;' Family speaks out after 25-year-old man dies in jail custody Man charged with murder after strangulation death of his own niece As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, changes will be made across the Great Miami River to prevent any widespread flooding. As much as six inches of rain may fall between Tuesday and Sunday, according to Storm Center 7 Team of Meteorologists. 'It's not unprecedented, but it's a heavier, higher rainfall event,' Mike Ekberg said. Ekberg is a hydrologist with the Miami Conservancy District. The Miami Conservancy District is responsible for making sure the Great Miami River does not flood its banks and cause widespread flooding in riverfront communities like Piqua, Troy, Tipp City, Dayton, and Miamisburg. As part of the flood protection system, the Miami Conservancy District maintains five dams along the Great Miami River. 'We're looking at the forecast right now, and if we would get that kind of size of rainfall, we would have all five of our dams storing water,' Ekberg said. 'The dam will begin to store water and we'll get a temporary lake behind the dam.' That lake on the upstream side of the dams means they're restricting the flow of water and will slowly release it downstream over several days. This precaution ensures that the river channels can handle all the water without overtopping the levees. Ekberg said the river water level could come up another five feet from all the rain, which means district staff will be out monitoring the river. 'They may have floodgates that they close,' Ekberg said. Doing that will stop water from backing up through storm sewers and into the streets of our riverfront communities. Ekberg expects the Great Miami River to crest about 24 hours after this week's rain is finished. With no more rain, it will drop back to normal levels over a few days. News Center 7 will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
