The purpose of the PPG is to present Reclamation’s risk informed decision-making (RIDM) framework for evaluating high and significant hazard potential dams, determining the need for action, and prioritizing investigations and modifications to Reclamation dams. Reclamation first issued guidelines for RIDM in 1997. The guidelines were revised in 2003 and again in 2011. Updates included in the current draft document have been made based on experience gained since the development of the 2011 PPG in the interest of not only improving guidance but providing a document that is consistent with the way Reclamation currently applies the RIDM process. The document and instructions for submitting comments can be accessed at https://www.usbr.gov/recman/drafts/PPGwebdraft.pdf.

The updated National Inventory of Dams (NID) is now available at https://nid.sec.usace.army.mil/#/. The NID, a congressionally authorized database, has served as a central repository of information on dams in the U.S. and its territories since the 1980s. The site has been updated to make it easier to find and share dam-related data. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains the NID and works in close collaboration with federal and state dam safety agencies to obtain accurate and complete information about dams in the database. The new NID allows agencies to update data in-real time – users can expect fresher data that can be downloaded and shared at any time.

The NID also features new information for some dams. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is sharing flood inundation maps for its dams in the NID as well as narrative summaries about what our dams do, benefits they provide and risks they pose, and planned and ongoing actions to manage dam risks. The dam flood inundation maps included in the NID show what may occur during a dam-related flood and help individuals and communities take actions to prepare in advance. Individuals trying to understand if they will be impacted by potential dam-related flooding should talk to local officials who can offer advice on how to prepare before a flood occurs. During an emergency, users should adhere to warnings posted by local emergency management officials. This is not an emergency response site, and the information provided is not real-time.

For more information, see the NID Overview Factsheeet.

Have you seen the video “Exploring Our Nation’s Dams”?

USGS is pleased to announce the release of a major upgrade to the USGS Dam Removal Information Portal (DRIP), https://data.usgs.gov/drip-dashboard/. Among other improvements, users can now better interact with, select, and download the scientific citations associated with dam removals.

DRIP Version 2 allows efficient integration and reporting of newly documented removals and studies by way of a data pipeline. It also utilizes a new web application framework (Python Dash) that will allow efficient development of planned feature upgrades.  The new design of DRIP promotes transparent science with a series of data and software releases that document source data (e.g., Dam Removal Science Database Version 4.0, American Rivers dam removal database), a data processing pipeline (pydrip), an API, and software for the web application.

The dam removal database version 4.0 includes scientific literature through 2020, continuing efforts of the USGS Powell Center dam removal science team’s  literature review that set the stage for Bellmore et al.’s Status and Trends of Dam Removal and a series of dam removal review papers (O’Connor et al. 2015, Tullos et al 2016, Magilligan et al. 2016, Foley et al. 2017a, Foley et al. 2017b, Major et al. 2017, and Bellmore et al. 2019). With version 4.0, dam removal study locations were linked to the National Hydrography data sets to help support landscape scale analyses, some of which we plan to incorporate in future versions of DRIP.

USGS  welcomes feedback on the current application and ideas for improvements to ensure DRIP can best serve the community. Please feel free to get in touch with Jeff Duda and / or  Daniel Wieferich using the email format FirstinitialLastname at usgs.gov

Planning for a health emergency, such as the novel coronavirus (or COVID-19), is unique from other business continuity planning because it requires businesses to prepare to operate with a significantly smaller workforce, a threatened supply chain, and limited support services for an extended period of time at an unknown date in the future. . . .

World Declaration on Dam Safety_final

The following FEMA manuals, guides, and reports provide procedures and guidance for dam specialists and dam owners responsible for the design, construction, inspection, maintenance, and repair of dams. You can access these documents by clicking on the hyperlinks below. For more information, go to FEMA’s library by clicking the button below.

Emergency Operations Planning: Dam Incident Planning Guide

South Carolina Dam Failure Assessment and Advisement (FEMA P-1801)

Pocket Safety Guide for Dams and Impoundments (FEMA P-911)

Evaluation and Monitoring of Seepage and Internal Erosion (FEMA P-1032)

Selecting Analytic Tools for Concrete Dams Address Key Events Along Potential Failure Mode Paths (FEMA P-1016)

Technical Manual: Overtopping Protection for Dams DVD (FEMA P-1015)

Overtopping Protection for Dams Brochure (FEMA P-1014)

Federal Guidelines for Inundation Mapping of Flood Risks Associated with Dam Incidents and Failures (FEMA P-946)

Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety: Emergency Action Planning for Dams (FEMA P-64)

Filters for Embankment Dams: Best Practices for Design and Construction

Technical Manual: Plastic Pipe Used in Embankment Dams (FEMA P-675)

Emergency Action Planning for State Regulated High-Hazard Potential Dams: Findings, Recommendations and Strategies (FEMA 608)

Final Report on Coordination and Cooperation with the European Union on Embankment Failure Analysis (FEMA 602CD)

Technical Manual for Dam Owners: Impacts of Plants on Earthen Dams (FEMA 534)

Technical Manual: Conduits through Embankment Dams (FEMA 484)

Technical Manual for Dam Owners: Impacts of Animals on Earthen Dams (FEMA 473)

Conduits through Embankment Dams Brochure (FEMA L-266)

Dam Owner’s Guide to Animal Impacts on Earthen Dams Brochure (FEMA L-264)

Dam Owner’s Guide to Plant Impact on Earthen Dams Brochure (FEMA L-263)

Plenary and Lunch Presentations:

Cold Climate Dam Engineering and Operation in Alaska: Case Studies, Part 1, Charles Cobb, State Dam Safety Engineer, Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Cold Climate Dam Engineering and Operation in Alaska: Case Studies, Part 2, Charles Cobb, State Dam Safety Engineer, Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Doug-Johnson Dams in Cold Climate Design Considerations and Challenges of Construction

IHA Hydropower Sustainability Protocol, Joerg Hartman, Sustainability Consultant

Overview of Alaska Affordable Energy Strategy and the Role of Hydropower, Neil McMahon, Alaska Energy Authority

Special Alaska Requirements to Permit Hydropower and Other Dams, David Schade, Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Cold Weather and High Altitude Dam Construction — Twin Lakes Dam Enlargement Project Case Study, Daniel L. Johnson, AECOM; Dan Hertel, Engineering Solutions; and Ted Feldsher, AECOM

ASCE’s Cold Regions Engineering Division: Standards, Manuals of Practice Case History Documentation, Thomas G. Krzewinski, Golder Associates, former President of the International Association of Cold Regions Development Studies (IACORDS)

Permitting, Cost and Technical Challenges of Removing Lower Eklutna Dam, Brad Meiklejohn, Alaska State Director, The Conservation Fund

Track A – Investigation, Design, Construction and Operation:

Selection of Dam Types for Cold Climate and High Altitude Conditions, Glenn Tarbox, Stantec

Cost Estimating for Cold Climate Construction, Kevin Schneider, Barnard Construction Company

Applications and Performance of Exposed Waterproofing Geomembrane Liners on Dams in Extremely Cold Climate and Icy Conditions, Part 1, John Wilkes, Alberto Scuero, and Gabriella Vaschetti, Carpi Tech

Applications and Performance of Exposed Waterproofing Geomembrane Liners on Dams in Extremely Cold Climate and Icy Conditions, Part 2, John Wilkes, Alberto Scuero, and Gabriella Vaschetti, Carpi Tech

Muskrat Falls Project Overview, Ron Power, Nalcor Energy

Muskrat Falls Dams – Cold Climate Considerations, Greg Snyder, SNC Lavalin

Muskrat Falls North RCC Dam – Constructing in a Harsh Environment, Anderson Koehler, Barnard Construction Company

Site C: Cold Climate RCC Mix Design, Mike Pauletto, M. Pauletto and Associates, LLC

Site C: Cold Climate RCC Placement, Mike Pauletto, M. Pauletto and Associates, LLC

Remote Access Drilling and Geophysical Program at Terror Lake Hydro Project, Kodiak Island, Gary Rogers, Schnabel Engineering; and Jennifer Richcreek, Kodiak Electric Association

Dense Asphaltic Concrete Faced Dams and DAC Core Dams: A Canadian and European Solution for Short Construction Periods and Ice-Covered Reservoirs, David Wilson, WALO

High Production RCC and Mass Concrete Operations in Extreme Climate Conditions for Large Dams and Hydro Projects Worldwide, Ted Warren, RCC Presa Associates International LLC

Design and Construction Issues for the Planned RCC Susitna Dam, Wayne Dyok, H2O EcoPower (Retired, Alaska Energy Association)

Mile-High Cold Weather Marine Construction Mitigation Techniques, Jared Bell and Scott Korab, Ballard Marine

Unique Challenges of Floating Barriers in Cold Climate Regions: Case Studies, Greg Saunders, Revelstoke Design Services, Ltd.

Sweetheart Hydro Near Juneau, Alaska –Constructing a Large RCC Dam with no Road Access: Design and Construction Considerations, Tom Fitzgerald, Schnabel Engineering and Duff Mitchell, Juneau Hydro Inc.

Moose Creek Dam/Chena River Lakes Flood Control Project, North Pole, Alaska: USACE Design, Cost, and Constructability Considerations for CSM Barrier Walls in the Far North, Coleman Chalup and Derek Maxey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Track B – Environmental Sustainability – Plans, Studies and Permits in Alaska

Hydropower and Fish: Considerations and Case Studies for Sustainable Development in Alaska, Megan Marie, Alaska Department of Fish and Game

What’s Needed to Obtain Water Rights for FERC and Non-FERC Hydroelectric Projects, Carl Reese, Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Using Climate Science to Assess Long-Term Effects of Dams on Salmon, Susan Walker, National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region; Andrea J. Ray, NOAA Earth System Research Lab; and Joseph J Barsugli, NOAA-University of Colorado CIRES

Planning Site Work at Cold Region Dams – Logistical Impacts of Short Summer Seasons, Jennifer Richcreek, Kodiak Electric Association

Considerations in FERC Licensing of New Projects, Kirby Gilbert, Stantec

Permitting and Gaining Acceptance for Sweetheart Lake Hydroelectric Project, Duff Mitchell, Juneau Hydro

Emerging Federal Policy Affecting Hydro Development, Chuck Sensiba, VanNess Feldman

Track B – Case Studies of Projects Successfully Permitted

Permitting, Licensing, and Environmental Issue Resolution for the Susitna-Watana Hydro, Southcentral Alaska, Wayne Dyok, H2O EcoPower (Retired, Alaska Energy Association)

Thayer Creek Hydro, Del Shannon, Barnard Construction Company

Track B – Sustainability Workshop

IHA Hydropower Sustainability Assessment, Protocol, Joerg Hartman, Sustainability Consultant

 

 

Nearly 200 participants attend one of four concurrent USSD Workshops held in Oakland, California, during the first week of November 2015. Workshop topics include Decommissioning, Construction, Monitoring and Levees.

Presentations from the USSD Levee Workshop:

• Update on National Levee Safety Program, Eric Halpin, USACE
• Meeting the Nation’s Levee Challenges, Richard Varuso, USACE, and Michael Bishop, FEMA
• FEMA/USACE Coordination — Best Practices and Successes, Michael Bishop, FEMA Region IX, Jody Fischer, USACE
• USACE Levee Safety Updates, Eric Halpin, USACE
• California FLOODSAFE Initiative, Gary Bardini, DWR
• Levees, Risk, Flood Insurance and Community Resilience, Martin McCann, Jack R. Benjamin and Associates
• USACE and FEMA — Levee Accreditation: Including Update on EC1110-2-6067, NFIP Levee System Evaluation, Rich Varuso, USACE
• AE/Industry Perspective on Levee Accreditation and Liability, Larry Roth, ARCADIS
• Update on EM 1110-2-1913, Design and Construction of Levees, Scott Shewbridge, USACE
• Research Needs for Levee Safety, Michael Sharp, USACE
• Remote Sensing Monitoring and Instrumentation, Tarek Abdoun, RPI
• Levee Breach Modeling, Jonathan Simm, HR Wallingford, UK
• Consequences Estimating, Jason Needham, USACE
• Innovations in Levee Construction/Technologies, Gianfranco DiCicco, DFI
• Lessons Learned from Implementing PL-84-99 Interim Policy, Rich Varuso, USACE
• U.S. Levee Safety Coalition Updates, Steve Verigin, GEI