Soil and Water asks for $150,000 to maintain Category 1 watershed dams

A representative for Soil and Water Conservation told the House Appropriations Subcommittee the agency seeks $150,000 to maintain Category 1 watershed dams across Georgia and outlined how routine maintenance reduces the state's exposure to large rehabilitation costs.

The presenter explained Category 1 dams are those where failure could result in a potential loss of life; Category 2 dams pose a potential loss of structures but not life. The agency said there are roughly 200 Category 1 watershed dams in the state, of which about 170 are owned by soil and water conservation districts. About 60 of those are currently permitted under the Georgia Safe Dam Act rules and oversight by EPD and the safe dams program.

The presenter said routine maintenance work—mowing, herbicide spraying, cleaning risers and small pipe repairs—averaged about $2,700 per dam in FY 2024 when the agency maintained 62 dams for about $165,000. The $150,000 request would target Category 1 dams that need routine and, in some cases, heavier maintenance.

The agency argued that routine maintenance is financially prudent because federal partners at USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will share 65% of rehabilitation costs when a dam requires major rehabilitation; by contrast, the state would otherwise bear about 35% of those costs. The presenter said a recent average rehab estimate was about $7.4 million, with NRCS paying roughly $4.8 million and the state about $2.6 million on an average rehabilitation project. The representative also said the agency is studying whether to breach or close some non‑permitted dams and will report findings to the House, Senate and OPB.

Committee members asked follow‑up questions; the presenter indicated the agency will provide further data if requested.