Low-head dams pose risks in Appalachia, but some people aren't ready to see them go

Low-head dams pose risks in Appalachia, but some people aren't ready to see them go

Fatal accidents at low-head dams have earned them the nickname “drowning machines.” They generate a significant amount of power, even at low water levels. That can make it disorienting for people who mistakenly get trapped in their currents, and it can be hard to find a way out. Thousands of low-head dams are found in rivers, ponds and creeks across the country, usually standing several feet tall. Researchers at Brigham Young University created …