COULEE DAM, Wash. (AP) — Workforce reductions implemented during the Trump administration at federal agencies overseeing U.S. dams are raising concerns about the ability to provide reliable electricity, supply agricultural water, and protect communities from flooding, according to employees and industry experts. The Bureau of Reclamation plays a critical role in providing water and hydropower across 17 western states, but nearly 400 of its staff have been cut under the reduction plan, as confirmed by an administration official.
Reports of “reductions-in-force” have also circulated among current employees, leading to expectations of further layoffs. Among the affected workers are those stationed at the Grand Coulee Dam, recognized as the largest hydropower generator in North America. Lori Spragens, the executive director of the Kentucky-based Association of Dam Safety Officials, expressed significant concerns, stating, “Without these dam operators, engineers, hydrologists, geologists, researchers, emergency managers, and other experts, there is a serious potential for heightened risk to public safety and economic or environmental damage.”
In contrast, White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the workforce reductions, asserting that they would streamline disaster response and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy. She emphasized that “A more efficient workforce means more timely access to resources for all Americans.” However, a Bureau of Reclamation hydrologist—who preferred to remain anonymous due to fears of retaliation—argued that having adequate personnel is crucial for the proper operation of dams. “These are complex systems,” the employee asserted, highlighting that adequate staffing is necessary to monitor data, identify structural weaknesses, and conduct site examinations for safety purposes.
Despite a federal judge ordering the administration to rehire terminated probationary workers, a Trump spokesperson indicated that they would contest this decision, leaving the fates of these workers uncertain. This situation prompted the heads of 14 California water and power agencies to send a warning letter to the Bureau of Reclamation and the Department of Interior, indicating that the layoffs could critically impact water delivery systems and public health and safety.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which also manages dams nationally, has experienced staffing challenges as well. While spokesperson Matt Rabe declined to disclose specifics about workforce reductions through early buyouts, reports suggest that over 150 Corps workers in Portland, Oregon, received notices of termination, with expectations of losing an additional 600 workers in the Pacific Northwest. “[These layoffs include] district chiefs down to operators on vessels,” stated Neil Maunu, executive director of the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association, who pointed out their importance for safe river navigation.
Furthermore, several federal agencies responsible for dam safety have faced layoffs and operational changes. For instance, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is laying off 10% of its workforce, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Dam Safety Review Board was disbanded earlier this year. This comes at a time when the nation’s dams are in dire need of attention; an AP review of Army Corps data revealed that at least 4,000 dams are in poor or unsatisfactory condition, posing risks to human safety and the environment without necessary inspections and maintenance.
Dam failures, such as the Oroville Dam spillway incident in California in 2017 and the Edenville Dam breach in Michigan in 2020, underscore the importance of maintaining adequate staffing levels for emergency preparedness. Stephanie Duclos, a former Bureau of Reclamation worker who was laid off from the Grand Coulee Dam, reiterated the extent of the infrastructure and staffing required, stating, “This is a big infrastructure; it’s going to take a lot of people to run it.”
With employees facing increasing burnout and workloads due to these cuts, U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, a California Democrat, emphasized that dam safety and efficacy are paramount national security priorities. “Americans deserve better, and I will work to make sure this administration is held accountable for their reckless actions,” he asserted, highlighting the ongoing need for expertise in the face of existing challenges.
