Cost effective private dam safety assurance policy and spillway design/review
Date
1999
Authors
Pisaniello, J.D.
McKay, J.M.
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Advisors
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Journal article
Citation
International Journal of Water Resources Development, 1999; 15(3):261-276
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Abstract
Owner-obligation exists under common law to take reasonable care of dams according to current prevailing standards. However, this obligation may not be met in places where there is an absence of private dam safety assurance policy, which creates the possibility of placing the public at risk. To explore the potential seriousness of this problem, a case study has been conducted in the policy-absent state of South Australia where 11 hazardous private reservoirs have been investigated for spillway adequacy in line with state-of-the-art practice. Common high levels of deficiency have been discovered. Extended flood studies of hypothetical dams placed on the same catchments, bearing a wide range of spillway capacities and reservoir conditions, have then been conducted. Appropriate analysis has led to the derivation of regionalized relationships based on simple hydrological/hydraulic variables, for predicting reservoir flood capability as either 1/AEP or %PMF. The relationships have been utilized to develop a simple and cost-effective flood capability design/review procedure for reservoirs on small catchments which is compatible with any design flood standards. The paper also provides guidelines and criteria, based on international experience and practice, for government to readily explore an 'appropriate' private dam safety assurance policy for any jurisdiction. The guidelines, incorporating the cost-effective flood capability design/review procedure, aim to minimize review costs to private owners and ensure an acceptable level of private dam safety management.