Last updated:10/13/2007
Obvious Impoundment: A pooling of the river upstream of the dam to a great enough width (i.e. - much wider than the riverbed itself) that it is obvious to the casual river user that there is an impoundment of the river at this location.
Descriptions of Low Head Dam Hazards
Types of Hazards
Description
debris
rebar; steel; other underwater obstructions; sharp edges on rocks/concrete
drowning
one or more recorded drowning(s) at dam
height
dam height of 10 feet or greater
portage
egress from river above the dam can be difficult and/or hazardous
urban
urban setting with greater number of people recreating near the dam
usage
river section with above average recreational usage - particularly paddling
varying
sometimes (usually at higher flows) the river looks safe
visibility
dam can be difficult to see from upstream
other