National Inventory of Low-head Dams: completion and next steps

The Task Force to create a National Inventory of Low-head Dams was established in 2020 to locate all low-head dams in the U.S. using latitude and longitude. The purpose of this paper is to describe lessons learned and next steps for the work. This 100% volunteer work effort, producing an alpha version of the inventory, is nearing completion; the final product will include a map similar to the National Inventory of Dams map with latitude and longitude at a minimum. If funded by the 2022 Water Resources Development Act bill, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will produce a beta version of the inventory with additional information. Additionally, three proposals to define risk and improve safety are being developed.