Divers in Mobile, Alabama, uncovered a grenade-like improvised explosive device (IED) while inspecting a local dam on Wednesday. This discovery was made during a routine maintenance check at Converse Reservoir Dam, a site designated as critical infrastructure for the region’s drinking water supply, according to the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS).
Officials promptly informed various agencies, including the Gulf Coast Regional Maritime Response and Render Safe Team, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI Bomb Squad. The Gulf Regional Maritime Response and Render Safe Team managed to recover and detonate the IED safely.
MAWSS Director Bud McCrory described the situation as an “unprecedented threat.” He emphasized the importance of safeguarding the drinking water, stating, “We were fortunate to have detected this device before it caused significant damage or harmed anyone. We’re thankful for the swift actions of our law enforcement partners and our contractors who managed to identify and neutralize this device.”
Joshua Steinman, who previously worked on the National Security Council, commented on the incident by urging a broader examination of all dams. He has been vocal about concerns regarding potential threats to U.S. infrastructure, particularly pointing to the Biden administration’s border policies as a factor in increasing vulnerabilities.
In a previous thread from 2021, Steinman detailed ongoing assaults on the U.S. power grid and suggested that such threats were likely the work of foreign actors. He also expressed worries about inadequate protections for critical infrastructure, stating that both physical and digital defenses are lacking.
This incident did not cause any injuries or affect the drinking water supply. However, had the IED remained undetected, it could have led to severe damage to the dam or contamination of water resources, posing a risk to thousands of residents in Mobile and surrounding regions. A successful attack in this manner could yield significant chaos, highlighting the dangers associated with low-tech methods targeting essential services.
