Half the World's Dams Could Fail by 2060 Due to Sediment
A new study warns that around 20% of the world's reservoirs are already at high risk of filling with sediment, with half potentially inoperable by 2060.
Each year, tons of soil, silt, and rocks flow into reservoirs in the U.S. and get stuck there, creating a “ticking time bomb” that threatens lives and livelihoods. According to a new study, around a fifth of the world’s reservoirs are currently at high risk of filling with sediment, and by 2060, half could be inoperable as a result.
The sediment takes up space meant for water, putting additional pressure on structures that were not built to contain large quantities of sand and sludge. As reservoirs fill with material instead of water, they pose a serious threat to water security and the safety of people living near or downstream of them. As the climate changes, scientists expect the problem to worsen.