DWEE recognizes April as Low-Head Dam Public Safety Awareness Month

LINCOLN, Neb. — The Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment (DWEE) recognizes April as Low-Head Dam Public Safety Awareness Month as recently declared by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO).

Low-head dams often produce turbulent, recirculating currents that can trap swimmers, kayakers, boaters, and other outdoor enthusiasts. DWEE urges the public to be mindful of these hazards and avoid recreating on or near these structures.

Nationwide, there have been more than 1,400 documented drowning deaths at low-head dams. In Nebraska alone, six fatalities have occurred since 2019. Just last year, a 15-year-old girl tragically lost her life while swimming next to a low-head dam near Fullerton.

To raise awareness and help prevent tragedies, DWEE encourages the public to review resources describing the threats posed by low-head dams and avoid areas in close proximity to low-head dams.

Low-head dams are man-made barriers that span the width of a river or stream and allow water to flow continuously and uncontrolled over their crests. Typically ranging from 1 to 15 feet in height, they often appear harmless—sometimes even scenic. Most are constructed of concrete, brick, timber, or steel sheet piling.

Although water around low-head dams can appear smooth, shallow, and slow-moving, this tranquil appearance can be deceptive. When water flows over the dam, it can create a powerful, recirculating current on the downstream side called a “hydraulic roller” or back roller. This recirculating current can trap and hold a person underwater, even if they are wearing a life jacket, as the force of the water can make escape nearly impossible.

As warmer weather appears on the horizon, recreation in or near bodies of water will be commonplace for Nebraskans and their families. Swimming, fishing or exploring an area on foot where a low-head dam is present should be avoided. DWEE is asking kayakers and canoers to research and familiarize themselves with their planned route to avoid accidentally encountering a low-head dam.

The public is encouraged to review the following low-head dam safety tips from the ASDSO:

Know the Area
Check maps or speak with locals to get information about hazards on that waterway.
If swimming or fishing, always remain a safe distance from the structure to avoid sudden currents.
If kayaking, canoeing, or boating, always portage around the structure or turn around well before reaching the dam to avoid being pulled over.
 

Read the Signs
Obey any and all posted signage and barriers in the area, including flood warnings, restricted access signs, portage signs, or other posted signs.
 

Dress for Danger
Wear a personal floatation device (such as a life jacket) if you are boating, fishing, swimming, or otherwise recreating in or around a waterway.

Tell Someone Your Plans
Let someone know, such as a friend or family member, when and to where you are heading out, and let them know when you return so they know you are safe.

If You See Someone in Trouble, Do Not Enter
Never enter the water yourself to try and help someone. Instead, call 911 and use a remote assistive device, such as a rope or throw bag, to try and pull them back to safety.
 
According to the ASDSO, the best way to try and escape the hydraulic roller current is by crawling or swimming along the bottom of the river and washing out the bottom of the hydraulic to a safe distance downstream. 

The public is also encouraged to reference the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) low-head dam inventory page, along with local resources, to gain a better awareness of where some of these dams are located and  how to stay safe. If members of the public are aware of a low-head dam not yet in the inventory, information about the dam can be submitted through the USACE low-head dam information submittal page.