Dam Safety and Inspections

Recent Highlights:

June 22, 2026

The Interagency Team from the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the US Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) has completed the Rapidan Hydropower Facility After-Action Investigation and Independent Forensic Team Report, offering an objective assessment of the overtopping, erosion, and breach of the left abutment of Rapidan Dam on June 23, 2024.  We extend our sincere gratitude to the forensic team for their diligent and thorough work in preparing this report. 

This work was conducted by a team consisting of members from the USACE and the USBR at the request of the FERC.  The forensic team was tasked with examining the causes and contributing factors that led to the failure and identifying lessons to be learned by the industry, emergency management agencies, dam safety professionals, regulatory agencies, and the public to prevent future similar failures.

The report identifies several key findings, including the need for enhanced debris management and maintenance procedures, improved transfer of dam operation procedures with change of staff or ownership, and improved intervention measures. The Independent Forensic Team concluded that addressing these areas will strengthen facility reliability and safety.

We are currently reviewing the forensic report and evaluating its recommendations and will determine any necessary follow-up actions to further support safe and reliable operations of hydropower facilities under our jurisdiction.

We appreciate the efforts of all involved and remain committed to implementing improvements that benefit the public, stakeholders, and the environment. Updates regarding next steps will be shared as our review progresses.

Hydropower is one of the project types in which FERC regulates both the construction and operational phase of a project. Dam safety is a critical part of the Commission's hydropower program and receives top priority. Before projects are constructed, the Commission staff reviews and approves the designs, plans, and specifications of dams, powerhouses, and other structures. During construction, Commission staff engineers frequently inspect a project, and once construction is complete, Commission engineers continue to inspect it on a regular basis.

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This page was last updated on June 22, 2026