The recently completed Campos Novos Dam in southern Brazil failed last week to contain the water in its reservoir, releasing all the water impounded behind the 626-foot (202-meter) tall structure.
Campos Novos is the world’s third tallest dam built with a concrete face filled in with rock. Switkes says this design has become increasingly common in recent years for very high dams.
I HATE IT when that happens. Let’s hope the Three Gorges Dam has better luck!