FLOOD05005

• County: Statewide
• Community: State of Colorado
• Basin: Statewide
• Title: State Of Colorado Dam Safety Manual
• Date: 6/1/1983
• Prepared By: Colorado State Engineers Office
• Floodplain - Doc Type: Educational/Technical/Reference Information

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

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INTENT OF THIS MANUAL

1.1-1 GOAL
In the State of Colorado there are more than
2,200 water storage dams that are subject to the
state's dam safety program. In the interest of
public safety and of extending the useful life of
these structures, this manual provides specific
guidance that will enable the dam owner to carry
out his responsibility to maintain a safe dam,
avoid costly repairs, and prolong the life of the
dam.

1.1-2 METHOD
Information is provided on the basic workings
of a dam, inspection and monitoring of a dam's
performance, and general guidelines for carry-
ing out routine maintenance. Additionally,
suggested operating procedures, a model emer-
gency preparedness plan, and a summary of
related laws are included. This information is
presented il! a manner designed to help an
inexperienced person become acquainted with
the activities required to maintain a safe dam.

1.1-3 IMPLEMENTATION
The goals mentioned above Can be achieved
through cooperation ofthe dam owners and the
State dam Safety Engineers.

OWNERS
Dam owners are liable for all damages associ-
ated with their dams should they fail or break.
To minimize this liability, owners should carry
out the following:

a. Periodic visual inspection of the dam.

b. Prompt reporting and correction of any
adverse conditions found during the inspec-
tion.

c. Monitoring of questionable conditions
that may affect the safety of the dam.

d. Performing regular periodic maintenance
when required.

e. Retaining an experienced engineer to pro-
vide the investigations, analyses, reports,
plans, and specifications required for the
construction of new dams and for the
improvement or safe operation of existing
dams.

f. Making repairs where and to the extent
required.

g. Complying with the established laws, rules,
and regulations pertaining to dam con-
struction and operation.

OFFICE OF THE STATE ENGINEER
The State Engineer is responsible for:

a. Evaluation of each dam and related struc-
ture to determine annually the safe storage
level as required by CRS 197337-87-107 as
amended.

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b. Assisting the owners by investigating ques-
tionable conditions that are found and
advising them on prudent remedial action.
These actions may include having the con-
dition assessed by a consulting engineer.

c. When unsafe conditions afe found. order~
ing required repairs and reduced storage
levels until the repairs are completed.

d. Reviewing plans and specifications for the
construction of new dams and major re-
pairs, alterations, and enlargements to exist-
ing dams. These are thoroughly evaluated
for compliance with current dam safety
standards, design criteria, and state require-
ments.

c. Periodic on-site inspection of construction
procedures and quality control techuiques
to verify conformance with approved plans
and specifications.

1.1-4 BENEFITS
By using proper inspection and maintenance
procedures, dam owners can achieve an in-
creased degree of safety for the structure.
Timely inspection and maintenance will also
reduce the possibility ofloss of use ofthe struc-
ture and the need for costly repairs.

DEFINITION OF A DAM
Dams addressed in this manual ar<:,man-made barriers,
constructed on natural terrain in order to control or
store water. In most cases the reservoir basin is sited
entirely in unaltered natural terrain. Natural lakes
which have been developed by constructing facilities
for releasing the lakes' contents are also included.

MINIMUM EXPECTED EFFORT BY THE
OWNER
Unfortunately there is a possibility, however remote,
that any given dam might experience partial or total
failure, causing extensive damage in the downstream
flood plain.

Minimum expected effort is the amount and intensity
of effort the owner must make in fulfilling his obligation
to persons and properties downstream from his dam to
assure the dam does not experience damaging partial
or total failure. The required actions include thorough
visual inspection, accurate monitoring when required,
recording and interpreting information gained from
inspection and monitoring, regularly scheduled routine
maintenance, making required repairs .in a timely
manner, and operating the dam in a way that will give
the greatest assurance of safety. The required intensity
of effort will vary in relation to the loss that would be
experienced in terms of loss of life, the downstream
development, and the value of the structure itself. The
suggested ranges of effort required for the following
types of dams are:

HIG H HAZARD DAMS - Failure of the dam would
cause extensive property damage and would probably
cause the loss of human life.

Daily - Surveillance by the owner or caretaker.

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