A dam may fail for any number of reasons.
Reasons why a dam may fail:
(1) poor design or construction
(2) unsuitable site
(3) load that exceeds design (heavy rains, hurricane, change in environment, landslide, etc)
(4) other change in weather not accounted for in the design
(5) earthquake
(6) human intervention (vandalism, warfare, terrorism)
(7) inadequate maintenance and repair
(8) old age
Temporary and earthen dams may be more prone to failure for a number of factors.
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Specialty: Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
