Written By: Samantha Justice, P.E. Dams and Spillways Are a Critical Part of U.S. Infrastructure With over 91,000 structures nationwide, dams and spillways are essential for controlling flooding, water distribution, and providing hydroelectric power. However, these structures cannot last forever. The average age of dams and spillways in the U.S. is now 61 years, which is significantly over the typical 50-year lifespan of these structures. Aging infrastructure can lead to serious consequences if safety precautions are not taken or measures are not implemented to address identified problems promptly. Continual inspection and upkeep are crucial for any dam manager. The 2025 Infrastructure Report Card by the American Society of Civil Engineers upgraded the condition of U.S. dams from a “D” to a “D+”, reflecting modest improvements but still highlighting the critical need for ongoing repairs and maintenance. State and federal regulations provide a framework for assessing and maintaining dam and spillway structures, requiring at least yearly audit inspections to identify areas needing repair or replacement. Performing these repairs can help extend the lifetime of dams, maintaining essential services without excessive costs or increased failure potential. Understanding Areas of Concern for Existing Structures The vast majority of America’s rivers and lakes have… Read more »
Yearly Archives: 2025
ASCE Reveals the 2025 Infrastructure Report Card
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently released their quadrennial Infrastructure Report Card. America’s infrastructure earned an overall grade of C, which is a minor improvement over 2021’s grade of C-minus and the highest grade received since the report card’s inception in 1998. While the report card is trending in the right direction, we are not quite ready to hang it on the fridge. There is still a lot of work and investment required to make up for decades of underinvestment and deferred maintenance, especially as climate change, population growth, and aging systems continue to place added stress on our infrastructure. Without sustained funding, strategic planning, and public-private collaboration, many critical systems — from levees and roads to drinking water and stormwater management — will remain vulnerable and inefficient. The report card assesses and assigns grades to 18 categories of American infrastructure, including Bridges, Energy, Ports, Rail, Roads, and Stormwater. Half of the categories received a grade in the “D” range. This means that the civil engineers who evaluated these categories determined that the infrastructure is “poor, at risk.” According to the report card, this is, “…a clear sign that more needs to be done to improve the health… Read more »
Presto Geosystems Announces Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for Geocells
With the commercialization of geocell soil confinement technology in the early 1980s, Presto Geosystems made history as one of the early pioneers in the world of geosynthetics. Over four decades later, that innovative spirit is as alive today as it was at the beginning of our journey. Presto Geosystems, the leader in geocell technology, announces the publication of the industry´s first Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for geocells. This milestone reinforces Presto Geosystems’ ongoing commitment to reliable infrastructure and environmental quality. What is an Environmental Product Declaration? An EPD is a transparent, objective report that communicates what a product is made of and how it impacts the environment across its entire life cycle. The EPD, based on rigorous life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, provides a comprehensive overview of the environmental impacts associated with the production, use, and disposal of Presto Geosystems’ GEOWEB® geocell system. This independent declaration includes key metrics such as carbon dioxide performance, energy consumption, and natural resource usage, all of which are vital factors influencing the overall environmental footprint of soil stabilization and erosion control solutions in civil and structural applications. The EPD follows established international standards, including ISO 14025, lending to the credibility and consistency of the… Read more »
Building a Resilient U.S. Supply Chain for Critical Materials & Mining Infrastructure
Written by: JP George, Business Manager The U.S. Dept of Energy (DOE) classifies critical materials and minerals based on their importance to energy and supply risk. With the new U.S. administration taking office in January 2025, there has been a renewed effort to focus on strengthening the supply of these resources both domestically and abroad. Strengthening Domestic Supply Bipartisan efforts continue to bolster domestic mineral production through legislative actions, such as the proposed Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 and revisions to the Energy Act of 2020. The National Mining Association (NMA) supports these measures, emphasizing the need for U.S. production over reliance on foreign sources. According to the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) 2025 Mineral Commodity Summaries, the U.S. remains import-reliant for many critical minerals, with China controlling production for over two-thirds of these resources. NMA President & CEO Rich Nolan states, “We could be producing most of these minerals here at home—under world-leading environmental, labor and safety standards”. Projects like Perpetua Resources’ Idaho gold project could supply up to 35% of the U.S. annual demand for antimony, demonstrating the potential for revitalized domestic mining. Innovations in Mining & Mineral Processing Technological advancements are driving sustainable mining operations: South32 Hermosa… Read more »
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