Dam Safety

With all of the recent rain it is important to be aware of dam safety if you live near a river or dam. The Dam Safety Branch of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources has issued the following safety tips:

If you live in Colorado you are aware of the above average precipitation we have had and the saturated conditions of our ground in much of the state. Rivers are running high as is typical for this time of year, and the added moisture is making flooding more likely than ever. These conditions put added pressure on dams. The extra runoff can make streams run that normally don’t and fill small ponds and reservoirs that are typically dry. Below are some facts about dams and preparations and actions that community members can take to keep themselves and their neighbors out of harm’s way in the event of a dam emergency in their area.

Facts

• The larger dams you see in your area with large concrete structures and wide open spillways were designed for extreme amounts of rain. Those structures were designed specifically handle and safely pass the volumes of rain and moisture we are currently experiencing.
• Even during normal operations, some spillway flows may be damaging and hazardous to the downstream channel and care should be taken around spillways discharging to those channels
• Smaller neighborhood dams, farm ponds, livestock ponds and erosion control ponds are less hazardous due to their small size, but can still be dangerous if someone finds themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.
• Water flowing from spillways, outlet works or even over a dam generally follow established and defined stream channels or drainage paths.
• More useful information about dams and their safe operation can be found in the Dam Safety Manual provided by the Colorado Dam Safety Branch at: http://water.state.co.us/DWRIPub/Documents/DS_Manual.pdf
• Or on our dam safety website at: http://www.water.state.co.us/damsafety/dams.asp:

Preparation

• Now is a great time to make yourself aware of your surroundings and the likely numerous dams in your area. Take notice of reservoirs in your area and areas of normal travel and recreation.
• Take notice of the stream channels and drainage ways that affect you every day.
• Notice low areas and channels and find the highest surrounding ground nearest to them. Memorize where those high places are
• Seek out sources of current weather information and stay tuned to those sources when conditions dictate.

Actions

• In the event of high stream flows, sheet flows down streets or flows in ditches, always seek the higher ground
• Never travel in or cross a flooded area or a path of moving water on foot or in a vehicle, Turn around, don’t drown!
• Pay attention to weather and weather alerts in your area

You can also find information on dam safety at our library. Resources include

• State of Colorado Dam Safety Manual
• Model for Preparing a Dam Safety Emergency Preparedness Plan
• State Engineer’s Report to the General Assembly on Dam Safety
• Dam Safety Project Review Guide
• Dam Failure Hazard: Awareness and Preparedness Planning
• Guide to Construction and Administration of Dams in Colorado