So more along the lines that maybe due to lack of proper preventive maintenance, the constant battering of hot/cold expansion/contraction pressure on the concrete over about 50 years caused the failure.
You know, it’s interesting about preventive maintenance (PM) and government. My experience is that it is sometimes hard to get a private enterprise to diligently perform PM especially if the thing needing PM is somewhat peripheral to the purpose of the company.
Same but worse in government because no one in government really owns anything. It’s all someones else’s money (so nobody cares that much about waste) and the assets belong to “government” but no one in particular. Hence things like run-down “projects” neighborhoods, post offices and DMV buildings and equipment. One of the federal government’s few valid activities is military for defense. I would say that the feds are best at maintaining those assets because maintaining the military is a main constitutional purpose of the feds. Even then, they have their problems.
I don’t see how a project like the Orville Dam could become a profitable enterprise for some company to take over and run. If so, at least someone would have a sense of ownership.
Been there, done that. I spent my whole 35 year working career in private industry. Wood products, sawmills, paper, plywood, etc. Trust me, the same thinking permeates production mentality. I understand that there is a balance, but invariably, the engineering/maintenance types never become the plant managers. Only the production types. Run it 'till it breaks, then lay the blame on the engineers and millwrights.
As for government, the goal isn't a proper operation, or maintenance, or public service. The goal is for each and every "public servant" to reach that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow: a retirement that never runs out of money and a gold-plated medical plan that completely pays for every drug and medical procedure, no matter the cost.