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<br />computed by weighting the composite grades for each agency according to the ratio of the <br />number of high hazard dams under their jurisdiction to the total number of high hazard dams in <br />the state, An overall composite grade of approximately 2.82 out of a total possible grade of 4.0 <br />was calculated using this method. <br /> <br />2.5.4 Conclusions - Conclusions of the study include: <br /> <br />1. At the time of the study, there were 192 dams in all hazard categories, and 32 high <br />hazard dams, on the Colorado Division of Water Resources "restricted list" of dams <br />that are not allowed to operate at full reservoir storage capacity. Seventeen of <br />Colorado's high hazard dams were considered unsatisfactory, meaning that the dam <br />safety inspections indicated definite signs of hydrologic inadequacy or structural <br />distress that could lead to failure of these dams if they are operated at full storage <br />capacity. An additional 92 high hazard dams were categorized as conditionally <br />satisfactory, meaning that the safety inspections revealed symptoms of structural <br />distress such as excessive seepage, evidence of major displacements, etc" that could <br />lead to failure of the dam if conditions worsen. <br /> <br />2. The Colorado Division of Water Resources' Dam Safety Program is recognized as <br />one of the best state dam safety programs in the nation. The state has been able to <br />acquire and maintain a solid group of experienced professionals, and has adequate <br />statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures to implement and carry out the <br />program. However, there remains a number of areas where improvements are <br />needed, including the eventual filling of key personnel vacancies within the program, <br />equipment needs, and the strengthening of a number of existing statutes. <br /> <br />3. Approximately half of the dams on the Colorado Division of Water Resources <br />"restricted list" have been on that list for ten years or longer. This is interpreted to <br />reflect the lack of funding to make repairs or upgrades needed to remove the <br />restrictions. Colorado has no state grant programs for these projects, Loans are <br />available for local government and private projects through the Colorado Water <br />Conservation Board, but these loans are underutilized because dam owners are <br />unwilling or unable to take on even these low interest debts. Another possible <br />funding source for bondable entities is through the bond authority of the Colorado <br />Water and Power Development Authority. With the ongoing, nearly unprecedented <br />drought, Colorado's water supply issues have come into sharp focus. Several2002 <br />drought-related news reports and articles have highlighted the need to repair and <br />rehabilitate existing dams and reservoirs that cannot be filled to capacity because of <br />structural flaws, <br /> <br />2.5.5 Recommendations - The following are recommendations ofthe study: <br /> <br />I. Establish a state grant program to facilitate dam rehabilitation and restoration of water <br />storage currently prevented by restrictions. <br /> <br />6 <br />