- Federal agency launches national competition to detect hidden dam cracks.
- Small underground flaws can lead to serious dam failures over time.
- Up to $400,000 in prizes offered for new detection methods.
- Nearly 500 dams are managed across the western United States.
Tuesday, March 17, 2026 — On Thursday, the Bureau of Reclamation announced a nationwide effort to solve a quiet but serious problem hiding inside many dams.
The agency launched a competition called “Crack the Case
,” offering up to $400,000 in prizes for new ways to detect cracks buried deep inside embankment dams. These are the large earthen dams that hold back water for farms, cities, and power systems across the West.
The concern is simple. Some cracks cannot be seen. Yet over time, they can weaken a dam from the inside.
Why These Cracks Matter.
Many dams look solid from the outside. But beneath the surface, narrow cracks can form in the soil. Some are only a few millimeters wide. Others may sit dozens of feet below ground.
These cracks can slowly allow water to move through the dam. This process is called internal erosion. Over time, it can hollow out parts of the structure, increasing the risk of failure.
According to Reclamation officials, internal erosion has been a leading cause of dam failures in the past.
“Detecting subsurface cracks before they become pathways for internal erosion is a persistent technical challenge in dam safety,” said Christine VanZomeren, the agency’s prize competition administrator.
A Difficult Problem to Solve.
Finding these cracks is not easy.
Soil conditions vary from place to place. Many dams are made of clay or silt, which can make detection harder. Equipment access is often limited. Buried pipes and infrastructure can also interfere with testing.
Current tools can miss these small, hidden flaws. That is why the agency is looking beyond traditional methods.
The competition invites engineers, scientists, and problem-solvers from any field to develop new methods for locating cracks that do not appear on the surface.
How the Competition Works.
The “Crack the Case” challenge will unfold in three phases.
In the first phase, teams will submit ideas. Up to seven teams will receive $30,000 each for strong concepts.
In the second phase, selected teams will build and test working prototypes, with up to five teams earning $20,000 each.
The final phase will involve real-world testing. The top two teams will receive $60,000 and $30,000 based on performance.
The competition is open to individuals and teams worldwide, as long as participation is permitted under United States law. You can participate in the challenge here.
Why This Matters for the West.
The Bureau of Reclamation manages 491 dams and more than 330 reservoirs across 17 western states. Together, these systems store over 140 million acre-feet of water.
That water supports farms, cities, power generation, and ecosystems throughout the region.
Many of these reservoirs rely on embankment dams. If hidden cracks go undetected, the risks can grow over time.
This new effort reflects a broader push to strengthen dam safety using better tools and new ideas.
In a region where water systems are already under stress, even small improvements in safety can make a meaningful difference.
