Found some interesting links related to low head dams recently. There seems to be a lot more information about retrofitting now than even just a few years ago.


Very interesting video about low head dams, why they are dangerous and how they can be changed.
[video.google.com]

Low head dam removals in Ohio.
[www.ohiodnr.com]

A report on low head dams and their remediation. 78 page pdf.
[www.rose-hulman.edu]

Abstract of work on Canoe chutes at low head dams.
[vtchl.uiuc.edu]

Company that does dam retrofits.
[www.wrightwater.com]

Paper analyzing drownings at 6 low head dams and subsequent retrofitting.
[www.wrightwater.com]

Series of letters related to dam retrofitting.
[www.desmoinesriver.org]

Summary of research on low head dam removals, up to 2005
[www.trb.org]

Thanks for posting this i have never relized the danger of lowhead dams. i have heard of the perfect drowning machine but never fully understood it.

Good info. Thanks very much for posting these links. I noticed in the credits of the video, "Low Head" that it was filmed by Marge Cline a past American Whitewater President and whitewater legend aka the "River Mom".

Here in KY we have a very dangerous low head dam on the Elkhorn Creek that has killed numerous people over the years and scared the daylights out of many others in close call near drownings. I and many others in the local boating community would love to see that dam either taken out or modified.

Civil Engineering class at University of Idaho
Lowhead Dam Redesign project
[www.webs1.uidaho.edu]

Center for EcoHydraulics Research at Boise, Idaho
Pictures of their test flume.
[www.uidaho.edu]

Short animation of canoeist getting trapped by "Drowning Machine".
[www.boatingsidekicks.com]

Searching the AW website for low head dam information.

The AW river database may have the largest collection of information about actual low head dams across the country. By searching the AW database, one can find descriptions and photos of a wide range of low head dams. Many are deadly, some are benign, and some create good play spots.

Near the upper right corner of each AW page is a search button which takes you to a search page.

The most information or hits turn up by using the google search function at the top of the search page. Use "low head dam", "dangerous low head dam", "dam", "dangerous dam", "safe low head dam" or similar keywords and use google to search the AW website. Lots of rivers, some photos, articles and this forum topic will all show up as well as lots of hits with just the terms dam, low or head!

The best way to search for accidents related to low head dams, is to go to the accident search page at:
[www.americanwhitewater.org]
To get to this page via menus, click on Our Organization: Safety. Then on the safety page click on Accident Database near the upper right hand corner. This opens the Accident Database and search page linked above.

Type in Dam or Low Head Dam in the summary or descriptions sections and you will find a large number of accident reports.

Unfortunately there does not seem to be a way at present to effectively search for terms like "low head dam" via the river, photo or article options on the main search page.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/09/2007 07:47AM by pmartzen.

More videos showing different low head dam situations.

Video of Creature Craft inflatable boat in different situations. The low head dam tests are at such low flows that the inflatable is never in any danger or risk.
[www.youtube.com]

TV station video of of Low Head Dam rescue on DeMoine river. Low enough flow that raft was not tumbled, but stayed upright and boaters survived till rescue.
[www.youtube.com]

TV station story about Boone Iowa dam, plus simulator demonstration.
[www.youtube.com]

Rescue 911 story about rescue by helicopter at low head dam. Shows the difficulty of using a helicopter for this type of rescue, as well as the lack of other options for rescuers.
[www.youtube.com]


Video showing a small low head dam in Milford CT.
[www.youtube.com]