National Dam Safety Awareness Day
May 31 has been established as National Dam Safety Awareness Day, to commemorate the 2200 lives lost in the catastrophic Johnstown Flood of 1889. This tragic event is a powerful reminder that ensuring our dams are safe is a critical public safety responsibility.
Dams play a vital role in supporting our communities with water supply, flood control, energy generation, and recreation. The challenges of aging infrastructure, intensifying climate impacts, and expanding downstream communities increase the risk of dam failure.
We encourage all to support federal and state dam safety programs, advocate for investment in the National Dam Safety Program, promote awareness and emergency preparedness, and to share local dam safety initiatives and resources.
Let’s use this day not only to reflect on the past—but to strengthen our commitment to safer, more resilient dams for the future.