The benefits of dams are
numerous: they provide water for drinking, navigation, and
agricultural irrigation. Dams also provide hydroelectric power
and create lakes for fishing and recreation. Most important,
dams save lives by preventing or reducing floods.
If dams
have many benefits, they also can pose a risk to communities if
not designed, operated, and maintained properly. In the event of
a dam failure, the energy of the water stored behind even a
small dam is capable of causing loss of life and great property
damage if there are people downstream of the dam. The National
Dam Safety Program is dedicated to protecting the lives of
American citizens and their property from the risks associated
with the development, operation, and maintenance of America's
dams.
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From the Red Cross & FEMA 
