Dam Safety Training and Examinations and Public Safety Assessments Around Dams
Dam Safety
With the failure of a number of significant dams around the world over the past 3 decades, and the rapid increase in development and population downstream from dams, dam safety has received considerable attention and been given a high priority by dam owners and regulators.
Dam Safety Training
The Bureau of Reclamation has been a leader in this field, providing essential dam safety training for its own staff and for other government agencies and the private sector. Domestically, Reclamation has been conducting Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams (SEED) seminars since 1978.
Recently, SEED seminars have been conducted on an annual basis and have consisted of 4 days of classroom instruction and 1 day in the field examining dams. Subjects covered have included:
- dam safety program organization and process
- preparation for inspections including reviewing records
- examining dams and their appurtenances
- geologic and hydrologic considerations
- instrumentation
- corrective action for deficiencies
- emergency action planning
- public safety at dams
- risk assessment
More than 2000 engineers, administrators, and technicians have attended SEED seminars.
Reclamation has also been active in assisting other countries in implementing and conducting their dam safety programs. Since 1983, annual or biennial international dam safety seminars have been conducted in the United States which have been attended by over 300 engineers and administrators from more than 45 different countries and the staff of The World Bank. These seminars have been similar in scope to the domestic seminars. In addition, Reclamation staff has presented multiple dam safety workshops in Australia, Italy and India, and singular workshops in Malaysia, Mexico, Indonesia, Portugal, and Taiwan. These workshops were tailored to meet each host country's objectives with regard to topics of interest, scope of training, and budget.
Dam Safety Examinations
Reclamation has a trained and experienced staff conducting onsite dam safety examinations of Reclamation's dams, as well as selected dams of the National Park Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs. Assistance in examining dams has been previously provided to other Federal agencies, including the Fish and Wildlife Service, the International Boundary and Water Commission, Alaska Power Authority, Department of Energy, and General Services Administration. Also, the State of Wyoming and the Colorado River Authority (Texas), among other state and municipal interests, have received examination assistance from Reclamation. Although dependent on the complexity of the facility, a dam safety examination generally involves one dam safety engineer reviewing and evaluating pertinent data, making a one-day onsite inspection of the facility, and preparing a report which includes findings, conclusions regarding the safety of the dam, and recommendations for any corrective action or further study, and needed maintenance. Reclamation staff is capable of providing dam safety examination assistance upon request.
Public Safety
A related area in which Reclamation has expertise is public safety around dams and reservoirs. Because the reservoirs behind dams often provide recreational opportunities, people are naturally attracted to dams. However, there are certain areas around dams and their appurtenances and the reservoir which can pose a risk to the safety of the public. Reclamation has experience in recognizing hazardous conditions and in recommending what can be done to alleviate these unsafe situations. Typically, public safety assessments are made during dam safety examinations, but may be made separately.
Reclamation Background
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has been involved in developing the water resources of the Western United States for more than 90 years. During this period, Reclamation has planned, designed, constructed, and is currently responsible for the safety of over 300 dams. These dams and their respective reservoirs supply irrigation, municipal, and industrial water to about 19 million people, as well as providing flood protection, recreation, fish and wildlife enhancement and other benefits.
The sharing of scientific and technical experience in the development, administration, and conservation of water resources has long been a fundamental policy of Reclamation, as has assisting others in maintaining and ensuring the safety of water resource projects.
Who to Contact
We would be pleased to discuss possible assistance or to provide a specific proposal.
Please note, however, that the Bureau of Reclamation has no funds available to finance
dam safety seminars or provide assistance, and must be reimbursed for all incurred costs.
If you wish to discuss assistance in the above mentioned areas or request a proposal,
you may contact Mr. Bill Bouley by e-mail at
wbouley@do.usbr.gov.