Imminent Threat to Oahu’s Wahiawa Dam Following Severe Storms
Officials are sounding alarm bells as one of Oahu’s largest dams faces the risk of imminent failure after two major storms battered Hawaii in the past week. On Thursday morning local time, water overflow was observed at Wahiawa Dam, prompting authorities to issue evacuation orders for the towns of Waialua and Haleiwa, both of which are grappling with localized flooding and potential inundation should the dam fail.
Evacuations Ordered Amid Flood Concerns
Molly Pierce, a spokesperson for the Oahu Emergency Management Agency, indicated that over 4,000 residents live directly within the evacuation zone surrounding the dam. Recognizing the possible dangers, Hawaii Governor Josh Green urged residents to heed the emergency officials’ guidance. “If you are in these areas, please evacuate now,” he stated in an official release.
Wahiawa Dam Specifications and Safety Concerns
The earthen dam, spanning 660 feet, has the capacity to hold up to 9,200 acre-feet of water—equivalent to approximately 4,600 Olympic-sized swimming pools. It also features a 183-foot-wide spillway. Despite this, Pierce confirmed that there is a viable risk of failure, saying, “Right now, we don’t have a good way to tell if it’s an imminent risk of failure or if it’s just water overflow.”
Maintenance and Ownership of the Dam
Constructed in 1906, Wahiawa Dam is owned by the Dole Food Company. In a 2020 assessment, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources reported that the dam was in “poor” condition. The agency mentioned that its flood risk management team is actively addressing the urgent public safety issues but is currently unavailable for interviews.
Dole’s Response and Long-standing Safety Negotiations
William Goldfield, the director of corporate communications for Dole Food Company, stated that the company is closely collaborating with local authorities to monitor reservoir levels, including those of Lake Wilson. He assured that public safety remains the top priority and reassured that “the dam continues to operate as designed and there are no signs of damage.”
Historical Safety Issues and Potential Risks
The state has been in discussions to acquire the dam from Dole for several years, amidst growing concerns over its structural integrity. According to official records, safety officials have been monitoring the dam for defects for over a decade. Carty Chan, the state’s chief engineer, previously noted that “in the event of a major storm, smaller spillways may not be able to handle the anticipated flooding and could fail if water overflows the dam levees.” In the event of a failure, approximately 2,500 individuals could be at risk.
Ongoing Flooding Situation in Oahu
According to Steven Parker, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu, Oahu will remain under a flood watch through Sunday. He noted that within a 12 to 16-hour period, rainfall in northern Oahu totaled between 8 to 12 inches, making widespread flooding an alarming reality. Reports indicate that flooding is rampant in roads throughout Waialua and Haleiwa, with emergency response teams conducting aerial rescues of those stranded.
Wider Impacts of Severe Weather Across the United States
The extreme rainfall coincides with other severe weather patterns sweeping across the U.S. States like California and areas in the desert Southwest are currently facing intense heat waves, while regions in the Midwest experienced heavy snowfall earlier this week, leading to some of the worst wildfires in Nebraska’s history. This confluence of weather events heightens awareness of the vulnerabilities posed by climate change and extreme weather conditions.
