Morning read: What happens if a North Country dam fails?

The Glens Falls Post Star reports this morning on a new effort by New York state to identify risks — and detail contingency plans — in case one of the state’s dams fail.

According to Jon Alexander’s report, more than 720 dams are now listed as carrying a “moderate risk” statewide.  By August 19, dam operators have to come up with basic information about what happens in the case of failure.

After a rash of floods raised alarms of potential dam failures throughout the region this spring – including Conklingville Dam in Saratoga County and Abanakee Lake in Hamilton County – the rule change is hitting close to home with local officials.

“The challenge when there’s a breach is knowing where the water’s going to go,” said Amy Drexel, Warren County’s deputy director of emergency services, of preparing for a dam failure.

Towns and counties across New York state have set their engineers on drafting the thousands of new plans required.

But locally, officials say the response from private dam owners hasn’t been as enthusiastic. Few landowners have reached out to the local emergency services offices regarding the new plans.

Read the full article here.  As always, comments welcome below.