In March 2025, the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) released a report (The Cost of Rehabilitating Dams in the U.S.: A Methodology and Estimate) which estimates the cost to rehabilitate the nation’s non-federal dams at $165.2 billion. The cost to rehabilitate just the most critical dams is estimated at $37.4 billion.
These estimates were based on actual dam rehabilitation costs for non-federal dam repairs over the past ten years and estimated costs for known upcoming projects. It included nationwide cost data for more than 500 projects, including dam removals. Project costs ran from $10,000 for small projects to more than $500 million for large complex projects.
Rehabilitation becomes necessary as dams age, technical standards and techniques improve, and downstream populations and land use change. However, the cost of rehabilitation can be high, and the costs are rising significantly. This is due to a combination of factors, including escalated costs for construction materials and labor and the increased breadth of current engineering studies and analyses.
Additionally, the overall number of dams needing rehabilitation has increased due to the identification of deficiencies outpacing the completion of rehabilitation projects. Funding and permitting constraints contribute significantly to the slower rate of completion.
View and Download 2025 The Cost of Rehabilitating Dams in the U.S.: A Methodology and Estimate
