FLOOD05005 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

4 reviewing questionable conditions on site with the dam owner, explaining the problems and suggest- ing the best and/ or most economical way to pro- ceed in assuring the dam's safety. Frequently, further studies by a consulting engineer are recommended. b. Review of plans and specifications for new dam projects and major repair work, enlargement, or rehabilitation of existing dams for conformance with design standards and effective construction techniques. Experienced registered professional engineers in the Dam Safety Branch conduct these reviews and work closely with the design engineers in order to provide a safe and workable design and construction plan. c. Periodic inspection of construction work being done on new or existing dams. These inspections are performed in order to verify that the work conforms to the approved plans and specifica- tions. Any problem that is noted is discussed with the project engineer and corrective action is identi- fied and implemented. 1.9 USE OF AVAILABLE STAFF In order to provide maximum utilization of available manpower, the following dam safety priorities have been established: 1. ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY - Both the field inspection and design review activities are specifi- cally directed toward public safety. All possible effort is made to assure that each dam remains in a safe condition. If problems are found during an inspection which threaten the safety of the dam, temporary reductions in storage behind the dam are ordered until required repairs are made. When plans are submitted for repairs to existing dams, both these plans and original construction plans as well as known site conditions are scrutin- ized to assure that all potential problem areas have been properly addressed and the completed repairs will make the dam safe. 2. MAXIMIZE THf SAFE STORAGE CAPAC- ITY A V AILABLE WITHIN THE STATE -This usually involves cooper"';on among the dam owner, his consulting engine<:. and the State Engineer. Efforts are focused on re.olving prob- lems that cause the reservoir to be operated at a restricted level in the interest of public safety. 3. PROVIDE DIRECTION AND ASSISTANCI TO OWNERS OF DAMS THAT ARE OPER ATING AT FULL STORAGE CAPACITY- Required monitoring, operational schedules, an( maintenance that will help assure the safety of thl dam and contribute to its longevity are communi. cated to and discussed with dam owners for theil implementation. 1.10 ROLE OF mE CONSULTING ENGINEER The consulting engineering community is deeply in- volved in the total process of planning, designing, con- structing, evaluating, and maintaining water storage dams. Their research and expertise can often provide the critical balance that determines whether a proposed project can be justified economically. This engineering community has the responsibility to design and con- struct water storage facilities according to the most recently proven technology in design and efficient con- struction practice. Dams are constructed largely of locally available natu- ral materials and are founded on natural materials. Natural materials vary widely in their characteristics and distribution from site to site and within a given site. Engineering services for dam design and construction monitoring are often extensive and time consuming because of the unique conditions to be evaluated at each dam site. There is no such thing as a standard dam design. Engineering investigations and studies are required to develop a reasonably economical and ser- viceable dam project. SUMMARY Water must be available on demand to meet the needs of society. Dams are constructed to provide water storage reservoirs to meet these needs, and with that construction the dam owner becomes solely responsible for the safety, safe operation, and long life of his dam. In addition, the State Engineer inspects the dams and regulates dam con- struction in order to assure public safety. By a cooperative effort between the dam owner, the State Engineer, and the consulting engineering community, dams can be constructed and maintained in accordance with the highest safety stand- ards. This manual provides information that will assist the dam owner in effectively carrying out his responsibility to public safety and extending the useful life of his dam.