A method of modulating cooling flow to an engine component based on a health of the component is provided. The method includes determining a cooling flow requirement of the engine component for each of a plurality of operating conditions and channeling the determined required flow to the engine component during each respective operating condition of the plurality of operating conditions. The method also includes assessing a health of the engine component. The method further includes modifying the determined cooling flow requirement based on the assessed health of the engine component, and supplying the modified cooling flow requirement to the engine component during each subsequent respective operating condition of the plurality of operating conditions.