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Soil and Water seeks $150,000 for Category 1 dam maintenance, warns repair costs can reach millions
Summary
The state Soil and Water agency told lawmakers it seeks $150,000 to maintain Category 1 watershed dams, highlighted the difference between routine maintenance and heavy rehabilitation and said federal cost‑sharing reduces state rehabilitation bills.
A state Soil and Water representative told the House subcommittee the agency is requesting $150,000 in FY2026 to maintain Category 1 watershed dams — the class of dams where a failure could cause loss of life.
The presenter described Category 1 and Category 2 dams under the Georgia Safe Dam Act and said there are about 200 Category 1 watershed dams across Georgia. Of those, roughly 170 are owned by soil and water conservation districts; about 60 are currently permitted under the state program.
What maintenance pays for: The agency explained that routine maintenance includes vegetation control (mowing and spraying), cleaning and repairing risers and small pipe work. The presenter showed examples of lighter routine maintenance and heavier rehabilitation projects that include tree removal and more extensive metal and pipe repair.
Costs and federal cost-sharing: In FY2024 the agency reported routine maintenance on 62 dams cost about $165,000 — an average just under $2,700 per dam. For heavier rehabilitation, the presenter said the agency is seeing average project estimates of about $7,400,000. The presenter noted that USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will cost‑share rehabilitation projects; NRCS can cover approximately 65% of the rehabilitation cost, leaving roughly 35% for the state. The agency framed routine maintenance funding as a way to reduce the likelihood of very costly rehabilitations.
Study of unpermitted dams: The agency said it is beginning a study (line 13.74 on the tracking sheet) to analyze breaching or closing dams that are not permitted and said it will share those findings with the House, the Senate and the Office of Planning and Budget.
Ending: Committee members had no immediate questions after the presentation. The agency emphasized the dual rationale for maintenance: regulatory compliance with safe dam rules and reducing potential state financial exposure by enabling federal cost share in larger rehab projects.
