Inspection methods used to assess US dams have been questioned in the face of climate change , which has led to more frequent and intense flooding . The dams , which have an average age of 57 years , were assessed using a short history of hydrological data , while attitudes and knowledge about what dams actually do have changed . Last year, a dam under construction in Laos crumbled, killing 40 people and leaving 6,600 homeless, and a dam in Kenya burst, killing 48 people. The Association of State Dam Safety Officials has estimated almost $ 71bn is needed to fix all dams that need repair , while the American Society of Civil Engineers claims $ 45bn is needed to repair dams which , if they failed , would pose a risk to human life .
Inspection methods used to assess US dams have been questioned in the face of climate change , which has led to more frequent and intense flooding . The dams , which have an average age of 57 years , were assessed using a short history of hydrological data , while attitudes and knowledge about what dams actually do have changed . The Association of State Dam Safety Officials has estimated almost $ 71bn is needed to fix all dams that need repair , while the American Society of Civil Engineers claims $ 45bn is needed to repair dams which , if they failed , would pose a risk to human life .