Eliminating obsolete or unsafe dams could help bolster community safety amid climate-induced weather extremes, watershed experts are recommending.

Storms and floods have intensified in both frequency and severity, since the construction of the dams — many of which are now in a state of disrepair, according to a new white paper, published by Utah State University.

“Removing dangerous and obsolete dams and barriers improves resilience to flooding, drought, increasing temperatures, sea level rise, and changing rivers,” said lead author Sarah Null, a professor of watershed sciences at Utah State University, in a statement.

“Many dams provide useful services and should not be removed,” Null acknowledged.........

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