Experts caution that workforce reductions at US dam oversight agencies may endanger public safety
COULEE DAM, Wash. (AP) — Experts and workers say federal staffing cuts at key government agencies in charge of U.S. dams are putting the country’s water, power, and flood protection systems at risk.
The Bureau of Reclamation, which delivers water and hydroelectric power across 17 western states, has downsized by nearly 400 employees under a Trump administration initiative, a federal official confirmed.
A notice at the entrance of the Grand Coulee Dam’s visitor center — North America’s largest hydropower provider — shows the dam’s spillways and generating stations on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Coulee Dam, Wash. (AP Photo/Martha Bellisle)
A notice at the entrance of the Grand Coulee Dam’s visitor center — North America’s largest hydropower provider — shows the dam’s spillways and generating stations on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, in Coulee Dam, Wash. (AP Photo/Martha Bellisle)
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Internal notices about impending layoffs — known as "reductions-in-force" — have gone out to additional workers. Among those affected are staff from the Grand Coulee Dam, according to two terminated personnel interviewed by the Associated Press.
“We’re facing alarming safety and environmental risks if these experienced operators, engineers, scientists, and emergency planners are let go,” warned Lori Spragens, head of the Association of Dam Safety Officials, based in Kentucky.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly defended the workforce reduction by saying it helps cut through bureaucratic inefficiency when it comes to emergency response.
"A streamlined workforce helps improve public access to resources," she said in an email.
However, a bureau hydrologist currently employed in the Midwest said adequate staffing is essential to the upkeep of the country’s dams.
"These facilities are intricate and need constant attention," said the employee, who requested anonymity out of job security concerns.
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These workers are essential for analyzing structural health, spotting potential faults, and conducting field inspections for leaks or cracks, the hydrologist explained.
"With new hires not getting trained and experienced people leaving, it’s stretching us too thin," the worker said. "We need a full team to manage emergencies effectively. If staff numbers keep dropping, we’ll lose that capacity."
A federal court on Thursday ordered the administration to reinstate laid-off probationary employees. Still, a Trump spokesperson said they plan to oppose the ruling, leaving the outcome uncertain.
Heads of 14 California water and energy agencies recently wrote to the Bureau and the Interior Department, emphasizing that removing personnel with specific knowledge of aging dams could put both water distribution and public safety at risk.
The Grand Coulee Dam, the highest-producing hydroelectric plant on the continent, lies on the Columbia River in Coulee Dam, Wash., operated by the Bureau of Reclamation. Photo taken Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Martha Bellisle)
The Grand Coulee Dam, the highest-producing hydroelectric plant on the continent, lies on the Columbia River in Coulee Dam, Wash., operated by the Bureau of Reclamation. Photo taken Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Martha Bellisle)
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers also runs dams across the country. Although spokesperson Matt Rabe didn’t share how many accepted early retirements, he did say there’s been no formal direction to shrink staff.
Yet, Neil Maunu from the Pacific Northwest Waterways Association reported that 150 employees in the Portland district have received warning notices, and they anticipate over 600 more cuts throughout the region.
He said these dismissals range from management roles to barge operators — all critical to keeping waterways safe for navigation.
It's unclear when these employees will officially leave. However, the Corps has been instructed to report its restructuring plan by March 14 to the Office of Personnel Management, Maunu noted.
Additional government bodies responsible for dam safety have also seen job losses and shutdowns. NOAA is laying off about one in ten workers, and FEMA’s National Dam Safety Review Board was closed earlier this year.
This comes at a moment when dam infrastructure is already in need of urgent attention.
A previous AP analysis found over 4,000 dams across the country to be in poor or unsafe condition, posing a risk to life and the environment. These facilities require immediate repairs and oversight to prevent disaster.
In recent years, extreme weather has already done damage: California's Oroville Dam saw spillway failure in 2017, triggering mass evacuations, and Michigan’s Edenville Dam burst during storms in 2020.
Stephanie Duclos, who worked on a probationary basis at Grand Coulee Dam, said she and at least 11 others were terminated. The massive structure produces enough electricity for millions and feeds a sizable reservoir used for regional irrigation.
"This infrastructure can’t function without a robust workforce," she said. “It demands a collective effort to manage it properly.”
Former employee Stephanie Duclos sits on a bench in Electric City, Wash., near Banks Lake, holding her termination letter from the Bureau of Reclamation — Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Martha Bellisle)
Former employee Stephanie Duclos sits on a bench in Electric City, Wash., near Banks Lake, holding her termination letter from the Bureau of Reclamation — Friday, Feb. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Martha Bellisle)
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Some dismissed employees were long-time public servants but were on probation due to recent job changes. Duclos, who helped coordinate training and acted as a personnel liaison, said she was the only one in that role — and doesn’t know how her responsibilities will be absorbed.
"Those still on the job are going to hit a wall,” she said. “There's a real risk of burnout.”
Senator Alex Padilla of California, a Democrat who helped secure funding for dam safety through 2028, said these staffing cuts are dangerous.
"Dams represent a national security concern, and this administration’s decisions fall short," Padilla said. "We must demand accountability for these reckless moves.”
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Associated Press White House correspondent Chris Megerian reported from Washington, D.C.
