July 28, 2012

BIA Summer Water Resources TrainingDam Safety Inspections

Part 3 – Dam Safety Legislation & Regulation

Presented byMichael Johnson, Ph.D., P.E.

Dam Safety Regulations &National Dam Safety Program

• President Carter directed the USACE to inspect the nation’s non-federal high-hazard dams.

• Program lasted from 1978-1981.

• Established the dam safety programs in most states.

• Created the National Dam Safety Program

• National Dam Safety Act reauthorized in 2006, currently pending another reauthorization.

FEMA National Dam Safety Program

Purpose:

Reduce risk to life and property from dam failure in the U.S. by bringing together the expertise and resources of the Federal and non-Federal communities in achieving national dam safety hazard reduction.

Grant Assistance to the States

Provides support for improving state dam

safety programs

Dam Safety Research

Program of technical and archival research

Dam Safety Training

For state dam safety staff and inspectors

FEMA NDSP Initiatives

National Dam Safety Review Board

Purpose:

• Monitor the safety and security of dams

• Advise FEMA on national dam safety policy

• Consult with FEMA on coordinating a National Dam Safety Program

• Advise FEMA on distributing funds to states

• Monitor state implementation of the assistance program.

Members include:

• FEMA

• Representatives from federal agencies

• Five state dam safety officials

• One member from the private sector.

National Dam Safety Review Board

Federal Interagency Committee on Dam Safety (ICODS)

Purpose:

• Establishes and maintains federal programs, policies, and guidelines to enhance dam safety and security.

• Serves as a forum for federal activities in dam safety and security.

Self-Regulation of Federally-Owned Dams

• U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs

• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

• U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

• U.S. Forest Service

• International Boundary and Water Commission

Regulation of U.S. Dams

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Stateagencies

Federalagencies

95% of U.S. dams are regulated by the states.

Federal Regulation of Non-Federally Owned Hydropower Dams

• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulates the safety of non-federal hydropower dams.

State Governments

• Regulate safety of non-federally owned dams within their state.

• 49 states have established Dam Safety Programs.

• 86% of dams in U.S. are state-regulated.

• State of Arizona regulates about 250 non-federal dams.

History of Arizona’s Dam Safety Program

• 1890: Walnut Grove Dam near Prescott kills 100

• 1915: Lyman Dam near St. Johns kills 6

• 1929: Arizona begins to regulate Dam Safety

• 1971: Permanent Program Established

Dam Safety Mission

Centennial Dam Failure (1997)

To maximize protection of human life & property against dam failure

Definition of a Jurisdictional DamAny artificial barrier for the impounding or

diversion of water either 25 feet or more in

height or having a storage capacity of

more than 50 acre-feet.

Exempt Structures:

• Federal Owned and Regulated

• Mine Tailings and Release-Contained Barriers

• Highway and Road Embankments

1 ac-ft 325,000 gallons

50 ac-ft 1.625 Million gallons

225 Earthen Embankment Dams

19 Concrete and Masonry Dams

1 Inflatable Rubber Dam

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

Nu

mb

er o

f D

ams

Co

nst

ruct

ed

1880-1889

1890-1899

1900-1909

1910-1919

1920-1929

1930-1939

1940-1949

1950-1959

1960-1969

1970-1979

1980-1989

1990-1999

2000-Curre

nt

Year Completed

Primary Purpose of Jurisdictional Dams

25%

14%61%

Flood Control & Storm Water Management

Industrial & Mining

Water Supply & Storage

Dam Ownership

Private 119 dams

Local governments 82 dams

State of Arizona 32 dams

Public utilities 11 dams

Indian tribes 1 dam

Hazard Potential Classifications

Class Loss of LifeEconomic or

Intangible Losses

Number in Arizona

High Likely Low to High 102

Significant Not Likely Low to High 32

Low Not Likely Low 103

Very Low Not LikelyLimited to Owner or 100-year Floodplain

8

Major Program Areas

• Remediation of Safety Deficient Dams

• Dam Safety Inspections

• Construction Permitting and Oversight

• Emergency Action Planning (EAPs)

2000 – 2010: 30 High Hazard Dam Repairs and Removals 10 projects received funding from Dam Repair Fund

Notable Projects:– River Reservoir

– City Dam

– Magma Dam

– Powerline Dam

– McMicken Dam

Emergency Repair of River Reservoir Dam

• 2004 Declaration of Emergency

• ADWR, ADEM, AGFD, Apache County

• Completed December 2005 (on Budget)

2006 Repair of City Dam

• Essential for Water-supply

• ADWR, USBR, Williams

• Completed October 2006 (on Budget)

Top Issues in Dam Safety

• Risk of Failure

• Hazard Creep

• Lack of Financing for and Attention to Maintenance, Upgrade and Repair

• Lack of Adequate Authority and Resources

• Lack of Emergency Preparedness In Case of Failure

• Lack of Public Awareness

Model Dam Safety Program

• Operation & Maintenance Programs

• Inspection & Monitoring

• Emergency Action Planning (EAPs)

Trends in Dam Safety

• Coordination with Emergency Management and Floodplain Management

• Emergency Action Planning• Public Awareness• Hazard Creep• Site Specific PMP Studies• Developing risk approaches to improve

decision making in the long term management of existing infrastructure

Questions?