The Importance of Having a Dam Operation Manual

1. The Importance of Having a Dam Operation Manual Jason Thom MADCS – October 2010

2. Reasons for O&M Manual • Handy Reference – THE place to look it up • Identify Safe Procedures • Operation Records • Past records can be invaluable • Maintenance and Repair Records • Equipment Manuals (Gates) • Required for Operation Permit

3. Operation Manual Regulations • Procedures for safe drawdown • Capabilities & limitations of outlet & spillway • Authority & training of operations personnel • Normal/flood/emergency • Availability & communications for operations • Chain of command • Monitor & anticipate unusual weather • Plan for inspections • Owner, Engineer, Critical Events • Plan for monitoring performance • Plan to interact with other affected dams & reservoirs

4. Maintenance Manual Regulations • Method & frequency of inspections and maintenance • Trees & brush on dam/spillway • Accumulation of debris • Gates & appurtenances in working order • Vegetative erosion protection on dam & earthen spillway • Seepage evaluation • Record of all maintenance & inspections • Dates & results of inspections • Documentation of maintenance & repairs • Documentation of performance in floods & earthquakes

5. Combined O&M Organization • Introduction Information • Chapter 1 – General Information • Chapter 2 – Project Operation • Chapter 3 – Monitoring & Inspection • Chapter 4 - Maintenance

6. Appendices • Operation, Monitoring & Inspection Forms • Reservoir Storage • Outlet Works Rating • Drill Hole Logs • Selected Project Drawings • Manufacturer’s Data • Glossary • DNRC Operation Permit

7. Intro Information • Cover • Who is responsible • Date & Version(identify updates) • Distribution of official copies • Contents • Project Data – basic information • Location Map

8. Chapter 1 – General Information • Operation Manual Description • Project Purpose & Description • Location & Access Info • Assignment of Responsibilities • Attendance & Communications • Public Safety & Health • Restricted Areas

9. Chapter 2 – Operation Procedures • Reservoir Operations • Filling Schedule • Release Schedule • Flood Operations • Control Gates • Season Start-up Procedures • Season Shut-down Procedures

10. Chapter 3 – Monitoring & Inspections • General • Monitoring Wells • Drains & Seepage • Operational Inspections • Periodic Owner Inspections • Periodic Engineer Inspections • Critical Event Inspections

11. Chapter 4 - Maintenance • Critical Conditions • Periodic Maintenance • Embankment Maintenance • Outlet Maintenance • Spillway Maintenance

12. Appendix A - Forms • Operation Records • Monitoring Records • Inspection Records • Maintenance & Repair Records

13. Appendix B - Storage

14. Appendix C – Outlet Works Rating

15. Appendix D – Drill Logs

16. Appendix E – Project Drawings • Plan View – identify features • Embankment Profile • Embankment Section • Outlet Profile • Spillway Plan, Profile & Section

17. Embankment

18. Outlet

19. Appendix F – Manufacturer’s Data • Gates O&M • Other Equipment

20. Parts Diagram

21. Gate Adjustments

22. Appendix G - Glossary • Standard vocabulary to improve communication

23. O&M Manual Summary • Reference for key information • Operation instructions • Monitoring & Inspections • Maintenance and Repairs • Documentation of O&M • Template available on DNRC web page

24. Questions and Comments