National inventory of dams and low-head dams
33 U.S.C. § 467d
in effect(a) In generalThe Secretary of the Army shall maintain and update information on the inventory of dams and low-head dams in the United States.
(b) DamsThe inventory maintained under subsection (a) shall include any available information assessing each dam based on inspections completed by a Federal agency, a State dam safety agency, or a Tribal government.
(c) Low-head damsThe inventory maintained under subsection (a) shall include—(1) the location, ownership, description, current use, condition, height, and length of each low-head dam; (2) any information on public safety conditions at each low-head dam; and (3) any other relevant information concerning low-head dams.
(d) DataIn carrying out this section, the Secretary shall—(1) coordinate with Federal and State agencies, Tribal governments, and other relevant entities; and (2) use data provided to the Secretary by those agencies and entities.
(e) Public availabilityThe Secretary shall make the inventory maintained under subsection (a) publicly available (including on a publicly available website), including—(1) public safety information on the dangers of low-head dams; and (2) a directory of financial and technical assistance resources available to reduce safety hazards and fish passage barriers at low-head dams.
(f) ClarificationNothing in this section provides authority to the Secretary to carry out an activity, with respect to a low-head dam, that is not explicitly authorized under this section.
(g) Low-head dam definedIn this section, the term “low-head dam” means a river-wide artificial barrier that generally spans a stream channel, blocking the waterway and creating a backup of water behind the barrier, with a drop off over the wall of not less than 6 inches and not more than 25 feet.
Source: OLRC USLMURL: https://uscode.house.gov/download/releasepoints/us/pl/119/95/xml_usc33@119-95.zipFetched: 6/5/2026
