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Water Operations

U.S. Department
of the Interior

Bureau of Reclamation Emergency Management

Reclamation's emergency management activities help to guide Reclamations response to incidents of national significance. Reclamation is responsible for major water projects in all of the 17 contiguous western states, including more than 500 dams, 348 reservoirs, and 58 hydroelectric powerplants.  Because of Reclamation’s vital role in providing water, power, agricultural products, and recreational opportunities to the entire nation, the safety and security of Reclamation facilities and the people visiting them is of critical importance. Emergency Action Plans: Reclamation has Emergency Action Plans (EAP) for all high- and significant-hazard dams. These plans are updated annually and exercised every three years with a table top exercise and functional exercise utilized on an alternating schedule. The exercises may involve Reclamation employees, other local, state, and Federal agencies, and downstream first responders who have responsibility for protecting the downstream public. Exercises are conducted with a variety of initiating scenarios including numerous natural, environmental, security, or terrorism-related scenarios. Reclamation Emergency Operations Center (EOC):This center, located in Denver, provides a central coordination of Reclamation operations and communications with Regions, Washington Office leadership,the Department of the Interior and other Federal agencies. Useful Links DOI Emergency Management Web Site DisasterHelp.gov FEMA Homepage Ready.gov Hurricane Response and Recovery (FEMA) Department of Homeland Security National Weather Service DOI Information on Avian Flu and Pandemic  Influenza Preparedness

Emergency Management 2009 H1N1 Flu Novel influenza A (H1N1) is a new flu virus that was first detected in April 2009. The virus has sparked a growing and expanding outbreak of illness throughout the United States and worldwide.  On June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) signaled that a global pandemic of novel influenza A (H1N1) was underway by raising the worldwide pandemic alert level to Phase 6. This action was a reflection of the spread of the new H1N1 virus, not the severity of illness caused by the virus. At the time, more than 70 countries had reported cases of novel influenza A (H1N1) infection and there were ongoing community level outbreaks of novel H1N1 in multiple parts of the world. Since the WHO declaration of a pandemic, the virus has continued to spread, with the number of countries reporting cases of novel H1N1 nearly doubling. The Southern Hemisphere’s regular influenza season has begun and countries there are reporting that the H1N1 virus is spreading and causing illness along with regular seasonal influenza viruses. In the United States, significant novel H1N1 illness has continued into the summer, with localized and in some cases intense outbreaks occurring. The United States continues to report the largest number of novel H1N1 cases of any country worldwide, however, most people who have become ill have recovered without requiring medical treatment. The H1N1 Flu spreads in the same way that regular seasonal flu viruses spread; mainly through the coughs and sneezes of people who are sick with the virus.  Therefore, public health officials encourage good health habits like covering your cough and washing your hands to help stop the spread of germs and prevent the flu. Because of the ongoing nature of this event, and the evolving knowledge about the H1N1 Flu, public health guidance is continually updated as this pandemic progresses.  The best source of information and guidance on the H1N1 Flu, and the best way to keep up-to-date on current guidance, can be found at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) H1N1 Flu website  and the U.S. Government’s Flu website. 2009 09-05-01 H1N1 Flu Preparedness and Resources (pdf - 924 KB)

Through these alerts, FEMA’s news updates and information is delivered directly to our users – to their PC, laptop or wireless device. It’s a fast, effective way of keeping FEMA partners and the public informed about updates on FEMA's website in areas where they have the most interest.

Signing up is easy. Users can simply click on the envelope icons found throughout FEMA.gov. No personal information is required, just an e-mail address where the alerts will be sent and the user’s zip code and state. Subscribers select which topics that they want updates on, such as disaster and/or emergency declarations, and national and local press releases. The alerts are sent as soon as updates are posted on the FEMA website or in daily, weekly or monthly digests.

Because each subscriber will provide their zip code and state, FEMA will be able to send messages to all subscribers in a declared disaster area, giving them updates about aid and information about how to obtain assistance.  This will be a significant enhancement in improving communications with victims during a disaster.

FEMA employees are also encouraged to register for the service and receive updates on their program area or specialty.  Questions about GovDelivery can be directed to:

Sign up via FEMA free e-mail subscription service

Employees should inform their offices of their location and personal status if they are affected by an emergency or disaster, whether in their work or residential location, or a travel location (including both business or vacation travel). If you are unable to contact your local office, please call Reclamation's Emergency Location Reporting Phone Number at 1-800-684-2442.

All Reclamation Offices are open and operating normally.

Last updated: 10/30/09