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<br />HAZARD. POTENTIAL CLASSIFICATION <br /> <br />Category <br /> <br />Loss of Life <br /> <br />Economic Loss <br /> <br />Low <br /> <br />None expected (No per- <br />manent structures for <br />human habitation) <br /> <br />Minimal (Undeveloped <br />to occassional structures <br />or agr icult ure) <br /> <br />Moderate <br /> <br />None expected (No urban <br />developments and no more <br />than a small number of <br />inhabitable structures) <br /> <br />Appreciable (Notable <br />agriculture, industry <br />or struct ares) <br /> <br />High <br /> <br />Some <br /> <br />Excessive (Extensive <br />community, industry or <br />agriculture) <br /> <br />Information concerning the hazard classification associated <br />with dams in Colorado is public record but it is not generally <br />disseminated to local city and county officials responsible for <br />public safety. There is little public awareness of the extent of <br />damage that could occur with the failure of dams, A list of high <br />hazard dams in Colorado is included in the Appendix. <br /> <br />Local emergency preparedness officials are usually unaware <br />if inundation maps of areas downstream from dams in their <br />jurisdiction have been developed and, even if they existed, dam <br />owners might be reluctant to bring them to their attention, <br /> <br />3,1.3 Inspection of Dams <br /> <br />The burden for inspection of dams must fall on the dam's <br />owner, They are at the dam frequently. They watch it fill. <br />They watch it empty. They can best detect changes or points of <br />stress, However, da~ owners are often limited in their knowledge <br />of how a dam functions, owner responsibilities, maintenance <br />requirements, and inspection practices, This is often <br />complicated by access problems and difficult terrain and weather <br />at high elevation dams. <br /> <br />A lack of funding has made it difficult for the Division of <br />Water Resources to provide adequate resources to inspect dams in <br />a consistent and regular manner, There are presently 8 full time <br />employees approved for the field engineering unit consisting of 7 <br />engineers and a supervisor, Additional engineers are needed to <br />inspect dams and review construction plans on a timely basis, In <br />addition, other resources are needed to support the engineers in <br />order to allow maximization of their professional expertise. <br />These supporting services include helicopter transportation to <br />remote dams, an automated data management system, additional <br />clerical personnel to maintain records and files, funds to allow <br /> <br />51 <br />