A grenade-type improvised explosive device was discovered underwater at a major Alabama dam, threatening the drinking water supply for an entire city. The unprecedented find has authorities calling for immediate inspections of critical infrastructure nationwide.Discovery During Routine MaintenanceOn May 12, maintenance divers conducting routine inspections at the Converse Reservoir Dam in Mobile, Alabama, discovered the explosive device submerged near the dam structure. The Mobile Area Water and Sewer System immediately contacted the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, triggering a coordinated response involving five agencies. The Gulf Coast Regional Maritime Response and Render-Safe Team successfully retrieved and safely detonated the device, preventing potential catastrophic damage to the city’s water infrastructure. Multi-Agency Response Prevents DisasterThe FBI Bomb Squad, Mobile Police Department Explosive Ordinance Detail, ALEA Bomb Squad, Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, and Daphne Search and Rescue Team worked together to neutralize the threat. MAWSS Director Bud McCrory called it an “unprecedented threat” and praised the quick thinking of contractors and divers. He emphasized the device could have caused serious damage to the water supply or harmed individuals if left undiscovered. The Department of Homeland Security has been notified, though neither DHS nor the FBI has issued public statements.National Security ImplicationsThe discovery raises urgent questions about the vulnerability of American infrastructure. Authorities have not identified any suspects or determined a motive for placing the explosive at the dam. The incident underscores the critical need for comprehensive inspections of dams, bridges, and other infrastructure nationwide. Security experts are now calling for immediate security assessments at similar facilities across the country. The fact that a potentially deadly device sat undetected underwater at a major water source represents a significant national security concern that demands swift action from federal and state authorities.SourcesTownhall: Unprecedented Threat: Routine Maintenance Found an IED at an Alabama Dam