Table 2: Example Listing of Countries with Dam Safety Legislation
Argentina |
Federal regulations for privatized dams only |
Australia |
Dam safety governed by the individual provinces |
Austria |
Federal Law governing large (>30m) dams only |
Canada |
Provincial regulations since the mid 1970’s |
China |
(Federal Regulation) |
Finland |
Federal regulation, 1984 governing all dams >3m in height) |
France |
Federal regulation dating to 1960 for dams greater than 20m high or dams that present a hazard |
Germany |
State Regulations |
Ireland |
Federal Regulation |
Italy |
Federal, dams >15m in height, smaller dams covered by regional legislation |
Latvia |
Federal Regulation |
Mexico |
Federal Regulation |
Netherlands |
Flood Defenses Act, 1996 |
New Zealand |
Federal Regulation |
Norway |
Federal Regulation, dams >4m |
Portugal |
Federal, amended in 1994 to cover dams <15m in height |
Romania |
Federal Regulation, National Commission for Safety of Dams |
Russia |
Federal Regulation |
Spain |
Federal Regulation dating to 1967 |
South Africa |
Federal Regulation, since 1998 |
Sweden |
Federal Regulation |
Switzerland |
Federal Regulation dating from 1998 |
United Kingdom |
Federal Regulation, the Reservoir Act, dating from 1975 |
US |
Federal Regulations (FEMA, FERC) and state laws |