What happens inside a flood protection dam? How does it hold back floodwater? And who keeps it ready for the next storm?
Visitors explored those questions during Miami Conservancy District’s public tours at Huffman Dam in September and Englewood Dam in October. Families, neighbors, and curious visitors met MCD staff, explored the structures, and learned how the dams work together to help protect communities across the region.
If you couldn’t join us—or want another look—you can watch videos to learn more.
Watch the Germantown Dam Tour Video
Wach the Lockington Dam Tour Video
Watch the Taylorsville Dam Tour Video
Watch the Englewood Dam video (coming soon!)
Seeing a dam up close offers a different perspective on infrastructure that many people pass every day. The tours gave visitors a chance to ask questions about how the dams work, why they were built, and what it takes to maintain structures that have served the region for more than a century.
MCD’s five dams are dry dams. They allow normal river flows to pass through open conduits. When heavy rain brings more water than those openings can pass, the dams temporarily store the excess upstream and release it gradually as conditions allow. No moving gates are needed to make that happen.
Together with levees, floodwalls, improved channels, and upstream storage basins, the dams form a regional system that reduces flood risk.
For MCD staff, the tours were also an opportunity to hear from the people who depend on the system.
One parent shared this after a tour:
“Brought my girls to the tour. They really enjoyed it. The volunteers and employees were all amazing when it came to teaching them about not just the dam, but why we have them and so much more about the area as a whole.”
Those conversations help connect the structures to their purpose: protecting people, homes, businesses, and the services communities use every day.
You don’t have to wait for another public tour to start learning. Watch the videos below for a closer look at Huffman and Englewood dams and their role in regional flood protection.
Huffman Dam
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Englewood Dam
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Thank you to everyone who attended, and to the staff, volunteers, and partners who helped welcome visitors and answer their questions.
Want to learn more? Explore the latest edition of The Deed for stories about flood protection, major repairs, and the work ahead.
