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<br />security assessments performed for critical dams in the state. The division's personnel have <br />emphasized to owners of dams the imporlance of performing these security assessments for their <br />structures. As a minimum, these assessments should include a thorough evaluation of the <br />potential threats, consequences, vulnerability, and responses associated with their structures. <br />The performance of security assessments and continued security updates by owners of dams will <br />continue to be emphasized by the Dam Safety Branch. <br /> <br />3.7 Dam Safety Management System <br /> <br />The dams database (DAMS) has been updated and upgraded this fiscal year. While the main <br />database is kept on a computer server in Denver, the dam safety engineers can access and update <br />the data for their divisions through modem connections. The Dam Safety Branch's capability to <br />maintain the database and analyze dams was enhanced by the receipt of computer hardware and <br />software for the Denver office and the division offices under the auspices of the National Dam <br />Safety Program Assistance grants. This system is used to update the National Inventory of Dams <br />(NATDAM or NID) periodically when requested by the US Army Corps of Engineers. <br /> <br />3.8 Publications/lnternet <br /> <br />As a service to dam owners, the Dam Safety Branch makes available, at no cost, a brochure on <br />the construction and operation of dams in Colorado. It contains general information on <br />requirements for approval of plans, water rights, financing, liability, insurance, Emergency <br />Preparedness Plans, statutes, publications, and Division Engineer and Water Courl addresses. A <br />"Dam Safety Manual" is also available at a reasonable cost that instructs dam owners on the <br />safety inspections of their dams. Guidelines for preparing EPP's and a Project Review Guide for <br />submitting plans for approval are provided at no cost. <br /> <br />In addition, the Regulations, Project Review Guide, application forms, sample plans, Livestock <br />and Erosion Control Dam Permits, Notice to Construct a Nonjurisdictional Impoundment <br />Structure, and other policy documents are available on the Dam Safety Web page at <br />http://water.state.co.us/damsafetv/ dams. asp. <br /> <br />3.9 Risk-Based Approach <br /> <br />Colorado has relied on an inspection/standards based program for over 20 years to assure the <br />safety of dams in the state. While inspection activities are necessary and provide a basis for dam <br />inventories, evaluation of hazard classifications, and site conditions at dams, a significant <br />amount of serious incidents and even failures of dams in Colorado are still occurring. After <br />attending an ASDSO workshop in 1999 on risk assessment, dam safety engineers decided to <br />explore ways to include risk assessment in the Dam Safety Program as a tool for identifying <br />potential failure modes at existing dam and to focus resources at the dams having the greatest <br />risk of failure and significant consequences. <br /> <br />A pilot project was implemented to train staff and evaluate Failure Modes and Consequence <br />Evaluations (FMCE). Simultaneously, an evaluation began of the U. S. Bureau of Reclamation's <br /> <br />9 <br />