The PennWell Hydro Group honored Turlock Irrigation District’s Chief Dam Safety Engineer Peggy Harding with the inaugural “Women with Hydro Vision” award.

The Women of Hydro Vision Award recognizes the contributions of women in the hydropower industry. Award recipients are nominated by their peers in 10 unique categories and Harding was nominated for Dam Safety.

According to Associate Editor of HydroWorld.com, Bethany Duarte, hydropower is a male-driven industry, from engineers and CEOs to technicians and researchers.

“What these women have accomplished in their careers is simply outstanding,” wrote Duarte. “They are gifts to the industry, and I for one, am very grateful that they didn’t let anything get in the way of their dreams.”

Harding received her award along with other recipients at a luncheon during the Hydro Vision International Conference in Nashville on Tuesday.

“Needless to say, all of us at TID are very proud of her and very happy for her to be recognized by her peers,” said TID Spokesperson Calvin Curtin.