DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- State records say that 31 dams in Iowa have structural issues or other deficiencies that could cause them to fail unless they're fixed.
A copyright story in the Des Moines Register says the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has labeled six of those dams "high hazard." The classification means their failure could result in a loss of life to people downstream.
The agency says 14 dams pose a moderate hazard. Financial losses and environmental damage could result if any of those dams failed.
Jon Garton, a dam safety engineer with the department, says none of the 31 dams face imminent failure. Garton says state officials are working with each of the dam owners to either bring them into compliance or to remove the dam.
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