Summer 2025 - Flipbook - Page 8
Increasing awareness of low head dam dangers with a
revamped website and database
Paige Gordichuk, S.M.ASCE and Rollin H. Hotchkiss, Ph.D., P.E., BC.WRE,
F.ASCE, Brigham Young University
Low head dams are structures built across a river or stream that allow water to 昀氀ow continuously and
uncontrolled over the crest1 and are generally between 6 inches and 25 feet high. They represent an
important public safety issue because recreationalists can be deceived by the smooth and tranquil
appearance dam’s upstream pool (Figure 1). Once over the crest, the recreationalist risk being caught
in a recirculating current if a submerged hydraulic jump occurs (Figure 2).
Awareness about the dangers of low head dams has been increasing in the past decade2 due to the
increase in online information and statistics3. In 2015, Brigham Young University published a website
to increase awareness about low head dams. The website has been updated in 2025 with the same
goal to increase awareness and provide information for water resources professionals and state
legislatures.
www.asce.org/ewri • EWRI Currents • Volume 27 Number 3 • Summer 2025
