Resource
Technical Lessons and Regulatory Impact: The 1925 Eigiau and Coedty Dam Failures
Resource Type
ASDSO Conference Papers
Reference Title
Technical Lessons and Regulatory Impact: The 1925 Eigiau and Coedty Dam Failures
Organization/Agency
Association of State Dam Safety Officials
Publisher Name
Association of State Dam Safety Officials
Year
2025
Date
09/21/2025
Event Name
Dam Safety 2025
Event Location
Cleveland, Ohio
ASDSO Session Title
Session 26: Decade Dam Failures: International Failures
Topic Location
United Kingdom
Abstract/Additional Information
The Eigiau and Coedty Dam failures of 1925, known as the Dolgarrog Incident, represent a landmark event in dam safety history. This disaster, which resulted in 16 fatalities and extensive destruction in North Wales, directly led to the passage of the Reservoirs (Safety Provisions) Act of 1930, establishing the foundation of modern dam safety regulation in the United Kingdom (UK). This paper and presentation revisit these cascading failures to explore their technical causes, lessons learned, and their enduring influence on dam safety practices and regulations. The impact of this event is seen today in the modern dam safety regulation and the risk assessment process.
Full Paper
