The US is facing a predicted 40% water shortfall by 2030, with over 80,000 dams built in the early 1900s, many of which pose significant environmental risks. The construction of hydropower dams can generate 16% of global electricity production, but also poses hazards to the environment. In recent years, there has been a growing realization that not all dams are necessary, with over 200 dams being removed since 2006. Dams and water flow rates have significant political capital, influencing floods, ecological devastation, and fish and plant species sustainability, while water policy suffers from non-standard auditing and regulation across states. The environmental impact of dam security on wildlife is also a concern, with data available through the Fish Passage Data Archive.