COLUMBIA, S.C. — In recognition of National Dam Safety Awareness Day on May 31, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is urging residents to understand the function and regulation of dams, especially for those living or working near dam-created water bodies.

Dams play a vital role in South Carolina’s infrastructure, with nearly all freshwater lakes and ponds in the state formed by damming rivers or streams. These structures serve multiple purposes, including irrigation, hydroelectric power, recreation, flood control, water supply, and supporting fish and wildlife habitats.

SCDES oversees approximately 2,200 state-regulated dams through its Dams & Reservoirs Safety Program. The program conducts routine inspections and pre-storm assessments to ensure dam owners maintain their structures safely. An interactive map detailing every regulated dam in South Carolina is available at des.sc.gov/dams.

John McCain, Manager of SCDES’s Dam Safety Section, emphasized the responsibility of dam owners:

“The South Carolina Dams and Reservoirs Safety Act states that a dam owner is solely responsible for maintaining their dam in a safe condition throughout its life. Our inspectors work closely with dam owners to address any issues and ensure compliance with safety standards.”

In South Carolina, a dam falls under state regulation if it meets any of the following criteria:

• Height of 25 feet or more from the top to the bottom of the structure

• Capacity to impound 50 acre-feet (approximately 16.3 million gallons) or more of water at maximum storage

• Classified as high-hazard potential, where failure could result in loss of human life, regardless of size

Regulated dams are categorized by hazard potential:

• High Hazard (C1): Failure likely to cause loss of life and/or significant infrastructure damage

• Significant Hazard (C2): Failure unlikely to cause loss of life but may damage infrastructure

• Low Hazard (C3): Failure may cause limited property damage

The Association of State Dam Safety Officials provides an online Dams 101 resource where dam owners and people who live or work near dams and reservoirs can find in-depth information, graphics and resources that explain the importance of dams, as well as potential risks associated with them.

Nationally, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains a National Inventory of Dams for the more than 90,000 regulated dams across the country, of which 18% are considered High Hazard dams.

Dams classified as High or Significant Hazard are required to have an Emergency Action Plan (EAP), outlining procedures to minimize injury, loss of life, and property damage in the event of potential dam failure.

National Dam Safety Awareness Day commemorates the catastrophic failure of the South Fork Dam in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, on May 31, 1889, which resulted in over 2,200 deaths. The day serves as a reminder of the importance of dam safety and the shared responsibility among individuals and communities to maintain and monitor these critical structures. Dam Safety Association

For more information on dam safety and resources, visit the Association of State Dam Safety Officials at damsafety.org/NDSAD.

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Sheridan/Johnson County HS State Track and Field: The Sheridan and Big Horn boys track and field teams won the team title at the state meet this past weekend.

For the Broncs, they repeat as 4A State Champs, and have won their 4th state title in 5 years.

Meanwhile, the Rams would 3-peat as 2A State Champs.

The Sheridan girls, the Buffalo boys and both genders at Tongue River all placed 4th in their respective classes.

The list of individual state champs include BH Freshman Lyla Marney who won the 2A Girls 1600 meter run and set a new 2A State Record in the girls 3200 meter run, the Sheridan boys 1600 sprint medley relay team placed 1st, Jeniah Lovingood of TR won the 2A Girls Shot Put, and the Big Horn boys set new 2A records in both the 4 by 100 and 4 by 400 meter relay races.

Other winners include the Buffalo boys setting a new 3A record in the 4 by 800 meter relay, Ryder Charest of Sheridan winning the 4A Boys 800 meter run, Noah Smith of BH won the 2A boys 200 meter dash, Rams senior Cameron Guelde won the 2A boys 1600 meter run, the Sheridan boys set a new overall state record in the 4 by 400 meter relay race, Lady Bronc Loralai Ketner won the 4A girls 300 meter hurdles.

For the Broncs, Garrett Otto won both the boys 4A 110 and 300 meter hurdle races, and Chance Morris won both the boys 4A 100 and 200 meter dash races.

In the 100 meter dash, he won by 0.01 seconds and it’s the second year in a row that he’s won by that margin.

Click here to see results from the state track and field meet.

Sheridan/Johnson County HS State Soccer Tournament: The Sheridan boys fell in the 4A State Championship Game vs. Jackson 2-1.

The Broncs finish the season with a record of 16-2-2.

The Buffalo boys and Cody played 100 minutes of scoreless soccer in the 3A State Championship Game, but the Bison would prevail in a shootout to win, and finished their season with a record of 12-5.

The Sheridan girls lost in the opening round of the 4A State Tournament in a shootout against Kelly Walsh, and then lost in the consolation round vs. Green River, to finish with a record of 15-2-1.

The Buffalo girls won the 3A Consolation Championship, and end up going 7-10 on the season.

Click here to see results from the state soccer tournament.

Sheridan HS State Softball Tournament: Sheridan would lose their opening round game vs. Cheyenne Central, and then lost by 1 vs. Laramie to end their inaugural season with a record of 19-11-2.

Campbell County ended up winning the state championship by fighting their way through the losers bracket, and then beat Cheyenne Central twice for the title.

Click here to see results from the State Softball Tournament.

Sheridan Troopers Legion Baseball: The Sheridan Troopers went 4-1 in games played this past weekend at Gillette.

The team lost to the host team on Friday.

Then on Saturday, the Troopers shutout both Evanston and Jackson.

Yesterday, Sheridan shutout Powell, and then won a close game vs. Laramie.

The team is now 17-9 on the season, and will travel to Billings this weekend to play both the Scarlets and the Royals as well as Idaho Falls.

Colorado Rockies Baseball: The Colorado Rockies lost 3 out of 4 games played during the Memorial Day weekend.

On Friday the team won at home vs. the New York Yankees 3-2, then lost on Saturday and Sunday by scores of 13-1 and 5-4 respectively.

Mickey Moniak hit a solo home run in Sunday’s game.

Yesterday the Rocks lost at the Chicago Cubs 3-1.

Moniak went yard again.

Game 2 of the 3-game series is today starting at 6:05pm.

NBA Playoffs: Oklahoma City held off a Minnesota comeback bid last night, to win on the road 141-138, and take a 3-games-to-1 lead in their best of 7 Western Conference finals series. 

Tonight is Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, between New York and Indiana.

NHL Playoffs: Carolina stayed alive and avoided the sweep by winning at Florida 3-zip in their best of 7 Eastern Conference finals series, however the Hurricanes still trail in the series 3-games-to-1.

Tonight is Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, between Dallas and Edmonton.

President Trump is pressuring California officials to prevent a transgender student from competing in the girls’ state track and field finals there, threatening to withhold funding if they don’t comply. 

Without naming the student, Mr. Trump took to Truth Social on Tuesday, advising that federal funding “will be held back, maybe permanently,” if state and local authorities don’t do as he says. The president signed an executive order in February banning transgender girls and women from competing on sports teams that match their gender identity, and stating that it’s the policy of the U.S. to “rescind all funds from educational programs that deprive women and girls of fair athletic opportunities.” 

Mr. Trump said he’ll be speaking with California Gov. Gavin Newsom about the situation soon, although it’s unclear if they have a call scheduled.

“California, under the leadership of Radical Left Democrat Gavin Newscum, continues to ILLEGALLY allow ‘MEN TO PLAY IN WOMEN’S SPORTS,'” the president wrote on social media, adding that California is allowing a trans student to compete. 

“THIS IS NOT FAIR, AND TOTALLY DEMEANING TO WOMEN AND GIRLS,” Mr. Trump continued. “Please be hereby advised that large scale Federal Funding will be held back, maybe permanently, if the Executive Order on this subject matter is not adhered to. The Governor, himself, said it is ‘UNFAIR.’ I will speak to him today to find out which way he wants to go??? In the meantime I am ordering local authorities, if necessary, to not allow the transitioned person to compete in the State Finals. This is a totally ridiculous situation!!!”

The White House did not immediately respond with further details about the student or the president’s intention to speak with Newsom. 

On Tuesday, the California Interscholastic Federation, which oversees student sports, announced a “decision to pilot an entry process” for the upcoming 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships.

“Under this pilot entry process, any biological female student-athlete who would have earned the next qualifying mark for one of their section’s automatic qualifying entires in the CIF state at-large mark in the finals at their section meet, was extended the opportunity to participate in the 2025 CIF State Track and Field Championships.” 

Newsom’s office called the pilot proposal a reasonable approach. 

“CIF’s proposed pilot is a reasonable, respectful way to navigate a complex issue without compromising competitive fairness — a model worth pursuing,” said Izzy Gardon, director of communications for Newsom. “The governor is encouraged by this thoughtful approach.”

AB Hernandez, a high school junior track and field athlete at Jurupa Valley High School, has received significant national attention after winning the long jump and triple jump at the CIF Southern Section Division III finals earlier this month, according to the posted results. Hernandez’s participation has been met with backlash from conservative groups who say the high school junior shouldn’t be competing on the girls’ team. 

“As previously stated, JUSD is required to follow both California law and CIF policy regarding school athletics,” Jurupa Unified School District said in a statement provided to CBS News. “Both state law and CIF policy currently require that students be permitted to participate in athletic teams and competitions consistent with their gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the pupil’s records. We remain committed to following the law as written and ensuring that all students are granted the rights afforded to them in a safe and welcoming environment.”

Keeping “men out of women’s sports” was a frequent refrain for Mr. Trump on the campaign trail, something he’s trying to follow through on in office. 

Last month, the Justice Department filed a civil lawsuit against Maine’s Department of Education for “discriminating against women by failing to protect women in women’s sports” in what Attorney General Pam Bondi alleged is a violation of Title IX. Bondi said when the lawsuit was filed that more suits against other states could come.