Controlling Animal Activity

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Livestock can damage embankment dams by grazing, stomping out, or otherwise destroying vegetation, thus increasing the likelihood of accelerated soil erosion. (DamFailures.org)

“Often constructed outside of developed areas, the earthen dam environment is usually near a water source and can contain a variety of vegetation; given these characteristics, earthen dam environments can be naturally conducive to use by wildlife. Wildlife inhabiting the dam can alter the dam environment through habitat establishment and use – beaver build dams, muskrat excavate dens, livestock feed on stabilizing vegetation. The natural instincts of wildlife to adapt and use their environment toward their survival can compromise the balance of engineered functions that maintain the viability of an earthen dam”.

Examples

Learn more about the dangers of rodent burrows in embankment dams from the failure of Santa Clara Dam (DamFailures.org)

Learn more about the many ways animals can negatively impact a dam at DamFailures.org

Best Practices Resources

Technical Manual for Dam Owners: Impacts of Animals on Earthen Dams (Federal Emergency Management Agency)

Trainings

On-Demand Webinar: Understanding and Managing Plant & Animal Intrusions in Embankment Dams and Levees

On-Demand Webinar: Understanding and Managing Plant and Animal Intrusions in Embankment Dams and Levees – II

Citations:

Revision ID: 4918
Revision Date: 12/05/2022