Mitigating Risk: The Benefits of Dam Inspections
June 13, 2024
The structural integrity of a dam must be maintained through rigorous inspections to prevent failures that can lead to loss of life, property damage, and environmental devastation. There are many benefits to inspecting dams including:
- Structural Integrity: These inspections involve thorough examinations of various components, including embankments, spillways, gates, and reservoir outlets. By identifying signs of deterioration, erosion, or potential failure points, inspectors can recommend timely maintenance or repair measures.
- Mitigating Risks: Dam failures can result from many factors, including aging infrastructure, extreme weather events, seismic activity, or inadequate maintenance. Regular inspections serve as a proactive measure to identify and mitigate these risks before they escalate.
- Protecting Lives and Property: One of the most compelling benefits of dam inspections is their role in protecting lives and property. A well-maintained dam is less likely to fail catastrophically, averting the potential loss of life and preventing extensive property damage downstream.
- Safeguarding the Environment: Dams can have significant environmental impacts, altering ecosystems and affecting wildlife habitats. Through regular inspections, environmental experts can assess the ecological health of the surrounding area and implement measures to minimize adverse effects. Additionally, proactive maintenance and repair efforts can prevent dam failures that might result in pollution or habitat destruction, thus safeguarding natural resources and biodiversity.
- Preserving Water Resources: Dams play a vital role in managing water resources including irrigation, drinking water supply, and hydroelectric power generation. Inspections ensure the continued functionality of these systems, preserving valuable water resources for both human consumption and environmental sustainability.
- Ensuring Regulatory Compliance: Regulatory agencies impose stringent guidelines and standards for dam safety to protect public welfare and the environment. Compliance with these regulations is mandatory for dam owners and operators. Regular inspections play a crucial role in demonstrating adherence to regulatory requirements, helping stakeholders fulfill their legal obligations and avoid potential penalties or liabilities.
Read more about the state of dams in The Report Card for America’s Infrastructure.
S&ME Dam Inspection Case Study
S&ME’s dam services extend from new dam and reservoir siting studies to emergency planning and safety inspections.
Gaston County (NC) Poston Park Dam
Gaston County, North Carolina
S&ME performs an inspection of Gaston County’s Poston Park Dam on an annual basis. S&ME’s inspection documented various issues regarding the condition of the existing embankment and spillway structures that could potentially impact short-term and long-term performance. Annual inspections helped identify these concerns early and repair these issues before conditions worsened. Repairs were made and documented in S&ME’s Annual Inspection.
- Significant erosion was identified along the downstream left end of the emergency spillway wall near the intersection with the emergency spillway channel. Additional erosion in the area could have led to wall and roadway slope instability if not repaired in a timely manner. A catch basin was designed to capture stormwater runoff prior to reaching the emergency spillway wall. This catch basin was allowed to outlet the stormwater runoff onto a stable riprap pad.
A proposed catch basin to safely divert stormwater runoff away from the emergency spillway wall.
- Bare areas with sparce vegetation were identified along the earthen embankment. Without vegetation established, continued erosion of the area could affect the integrity of the embankment. These areas were identified, and erosion control blankets, seed, and soil amendments were recommended to stabilize the bare areas.
- The right abutment area received an excessive amount of stormwater runoff from the upgradient areas. Continued sediment deposits and erosion could affect the roadway along the crest, groin areas, and the downstream slope. A diversion berm was designed to divert runoff away from the embankment.
