RENO, Nev. (AP) — A national dam safety database indicates that about one in seven Nevada dams that could cause deaths if they fail lack emergency plans.
The Reno Gazette-Journal reports that the National Inventory of Dams indicates there aren't emergency plans for 21 of 154 Nevada Dams that could cause deaths if they failed.
Meanwhile, state records say about 10 percent of 144 high-hazard Nevada dams lack required safety plans.
Mark Ogden of the Association of State Dam Safety Officials says dam owners should update their plans at least annually, but Ogden says regulation is haphazard nationally regarding enforcement about emergency plans and inspections.
The association's evaluation of dam regulations and inspections rated Nevada at 93 percent, above the national average of 89 percent.
Nevada's rate has increased steadily in recent decades.