The survey of 16 reservoirs found that at least eight had some significant feature in poor condition. In most cases the poor ratings involved overgrown streams leading into and out of reservoirs, but the inspections also uncovered several cracks and other potential problems in the reservoir structures and spillways.

Left unchecked, the problems could result in serious flooding problems in downstream areas, some of which are heavily populated urban and suburban residential areas, the inspectors noted.

Responsibility for fixing the problems will be left up to individual owners, who include Kamehameha Schools, the U.S. Army, and the Honolulu Board of Water Supply.

The state conducted the dam and reservoir survey in May, following flooding that left at least seven people dead earlier in the year when a dam collapsed on Kaua'i.