Developing Dam Operations & Maintenance Manuals WEBINAR AGENDA Introduction General Information Operations Inspections Question & Answer Break Instrumentation & Monitoring Typical Maintenance Issues Question & Answer Break Emergency Operations Maintaining O&M Manuals Other Helpful O&M Manual Sections INTRODUCTION Association of State Dam Safety Officials 1
What is a Dam Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manual? A Dam Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manual is A comprehensive, single document that describes: Key dam operations procedures Required maintenance Required inspections Required monitoring & surveillance at the dam Other similar documents: Standing Operating Procedures Standard Operating Procedures Dam Safety Surveillance and Monitoring Plan (DSSMP) Association of State Dam Safety Officials 2
A Dam O&M Manual is NOT An Emergency Action Plan A Dam Safety Inspection Report A Dam Instrumentation Report A Supporting Technical Index (STI) What is typically included in a Dam O&M Manual? General Information Dam & Reservoir Operations Guidelines Inspection Requirements Instrumentation & Monitoring Requirements Maintenance Guidelines Decision-making guidance to initiate Emergency Operations Other Key Information Why Should You Have an O&M Manual at Your Dam? Trout Lake Dam, Colorado Photo Courtesy of Xcel Energy Association of State Dam Safety Officials 3
You should have an O&M Manual at your dam To capture important dam O&M information for new dam operators. To increase the service life of your dam. To protect your organization against mis-operation and negligence. Because it may be required by State or Federal regulations. Are Dam O&M Manuals Required? Dam O&M Manuals are required in at least five states Minnesota New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico Ohio Required for high or significant hazard dams for most Federal agencies Example: O&M Guidelines State of Montana Example O&M Manual Oklahoma Dam Safety Guidance Manual Guidelines of Operation and Maintenance of Dams in Texas New Hampshire Operation, Maintenance, and Response Form Reclamation Water Operation and Maintenance Bulletin U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Standing Operating Procedures for Dams Association of State Dam Safety Officials 4
GENERAL INFORMATION Stagecoach Spillway Construction Electra Lake, Colorado Photo Courtesy of Xcel Energy Typical General or Introductory Information in Dam O&M Manuals O&M Manual Objective Statement Project Purpose Statement Definition of Responsibilities Project Location Information Project Description or Pertinent Data Items of Special Importance Project Communications and Contacts Objective Statement This is a clear and concise statement that explains the purpose of the Dam O&M Manual. Key components of a good Objective Statement include: The name of the dam. A statement that the Dam O&M Manual is to ensure consistent and safe operations at the dam. The Dam O&M Manual is intended for normal dam operations. Refer to the EAP for emergency operations and communications. Association of State Dam Safety Officials 5
Project Purpose Statement A concise statement that documents the purpose of the dam Definition of Responsibilities This section should clearly state: Who is ultimately responsible for the safe operation of the dam. Who is responsible for routine operations, surveillance, and maintenance at the dam. Who is responsible for routine and special dam inspections. Who is responsible for making key dam safety decisions and interpreting instrumentation data. Who is responsible for initiating emergency operations. Who is responsible for record keeping & reporting. Who has regulatory authority over the dam. Project Location Information Provide directions to the dam from the nearest large city or town. If applicable, provide alternate directions to the dam, if the primary route is not accessible. Consider including a good one-page map to the dam with general written directions. Consider providing GPS coordinates. Association of State Dam Safety Officials 6
Example: Vicinity Map Example: Site Location Map From USF&WS SOP Project Description Include a concise description of the dam and it s key appurtenances such as: Dam Information Type, height, crest length, reservoir storage capacity Spillway(s) Information Type, location, crest width, maximum discharge capacity Outlet Works Information Type, location, maximum discharge capacity A pertinent data sheet is a good alternative to a project description. Association of State Dam Safety Officials 7
Example: Project Description Description courtesy of the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District Highlight Items of Caution or Special Importance Important operations information for someone who is not familiar with the dam, such as: Downstream safe channel capacity Maximum allowable outlet gate openings Access constraints for key appurtenances Example: Items of Caution or Special Importance Association of State Dam Safety Officials 8
Example: Items of Caution or Special Importance Project History Provide brief descriptions of the following: Significant dam modifications and the date of the work. Previous dam failures or significant operations incidents. Describe historic major flood events at the dam. Describe historic major seismic events in the vicinity. Example: Project History Statement PROJECT HISTORY Lower Pine Lake Dam was constructed as a WPA project in approximately 1940. Refuge personnel rehabilitated the dam in 1978. The present stop log service spillway structure was installed in 1978 to replace the original combination low level outlet works and 14-foot-wide overflow spillway. In 1978, an 18-inch-wide by 6-foot-deep core trench of bentonite, with muskrat wire, was installed along the centerline of the original embankment. The crest was raised in 1985 to its current elevation and the emergency spillway was constructed in 1985. The lake behind Lower Pine Lake Dam was renamed Cheever Lake in 2000. During the 2008 SEED inspection, Wheeler observed significant leakage flowing through a corrosion hole at the upstream end of the center service spillway conduit. On October 7 and 8, this hole was repaired with a temporary CMP and neoprene repair piece. The repair piece was attached to the invert of the CMP and cement grout was pumped through the repair piece to stabilize the foundation of the upstream end of the conduit. A similar repair piece was also installed in the right and left spillway conduits. A report that documents the design and construction of this repair is available in the files of the FWS Division of Engineering, Dam, Bridge, and Seismic Safety Branch (Wheeler, 2009-2). 1940 Original Construction 1978 Rehabilitation 2009 Temporary Conduit Repair 2012 New Spillway Construction Association of State Dam Safety Officials 9
2012 New Spillway Construction Lower Pine Lake Dam, Washington Photo Courtesy of U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Key O&M Communications & Contacts Dam Operator s Supervisor Your organization s dam safety engineer The State dam safety engineer Other Federal dam safety regulators Local law enforcement agency Do not include all of the emergency operations contacts! Each contact should include: Work phone number Cell phone number E-mail address Other Potential General or Introductory Information Potential Failure Modes identified for the Dam Dam Attendance Requirements Document Security Statement Document Distribution List Document Revision Sheet Summary of Agreements with Other Organizations Other Items? Association of State Dam Safety Officials 10
OPERATIONS Operations Schedules A concise schedule that summarizes who is responsible for what and when. Operations Schedules Should Include: Dam attendance schedules Key tests, such as EAP tests Instrumentation monitoring Dam inspection schedules Maintenance schedules Other important activities Example: Operations Schedule Table from USF&WS SOP Association of State Dam Safety Officials 11
Operating Instructions for Key Appurtenances Detailed instructions for proper operations of: Outlet Works Gates & Valves Spillway Gates Access to confined spaces Placement and removal of bulkheads Outlet Conduit draining & refilling Other Key Operations Example: Gate Operations Instructions Common Operating Considerations For Outlet Gates & Spillway Lock-out Tag-out Procedures Stepped Releases Pre- and Post- Operation Maintenance Checklist Minimize damage during operations Differential head across guard gates Operational channel erosion For Confined Spaces Training requirements Equipment requirements Association of State Dam Safety Officials 12
Reservoir Operations General or seasonal operations rules Maximum filling and drawdown rates Flood operations Flood forecasting sources Triggers to activate emergency operations Operations Logs are strongly recommended To document routine operations activities. To document routine maintenance. To document unusual events. To document visitors to the dam. To protect your organization. It is a good record keeping practice. Example: Operations Log Table from USF&WS SOP Association of State Dam Safety Officials 13
Key Information for Operations Logs Date Reservoir water surface elevation Reservoir inflows and outflows Weather conditions Description of activities performed Names of people in attendance Consider attaching photo documentation INSPECTIONS Old Stagecoach Spillway, Colorado Photo courtesy of Xcel Energy Describe Types of Dam Inspections Routine Operator Inspection Periodic Organizational Inspection Periodic State or Federal Regulatory Inspection Special Inspections Inspections After Unusual Events Include Example Checklists Association of State Dam Safety Officials 14
FERC Part 12D Inspection Internal Outlet Works Inspection Example: Dam Operator Inspection Checklist From USF&WS SOP Association of State Dam Safety Officials 15
Example: Owner s Annual Dam Safety Inspection Checklist From USF&WS SOP Example: Owner s Annual Dam Safety Inspection Checklist From USF&WS SOP QUESTION & ANSWER BREAK Association of State Dam Safety Officials 16
INSTRUMENTATION AND MONITORING Why do we have instruments in dams? We have instruments in dams To confirm design assumptions. To confirm acceptable dam performance. Early warning of potential failure modes. To provide data for specific investigations. The purpose of the dam instrumentation system should be clearly documented in the O&M Manual. Association of State Dam Safety Officials 17
Common Dam Instrumentation Reservoir Staff Gage Tail Water Staff Gage Movement Monuments Seepage Weirs Common Earth Dam Instrumentation Source: ASCE Guidelines for Instrumentation And Measurements for Monitoring Dam Performance Common Concrete Dam Instrumentation Source: ASCE Guidelines for Instrumentation and Measurements for Monitoring Dam Performance Association of State Dam Safety Officials 18
Key Instrumentation Section Information General description of the dam instrumentation A clear instrumentation plan Instrumentation reading frequency Data collection forms Instrumentation reading procedures Abnormal instrumentation reading thresholds Description of record keeping procedures Clear documentation of responsibility for: Reading instruments Interpreting instrumentation data Reporting dam performance Example: Instrumentation Plan Figure from USF&WS SOP Example: Instrumentation Reading Procedure for a Piezometer Procedure from USF&WS SOP Association of State Dam Safety Officials 19
Example: Action Threshold Table Table Courtesy of the Rio Blanco Water Conservancy District Example: Data Collection Form Form from USF&WS SOP TYPICAL MAINTENANCE ISSUES Association of State Dam Safety Officials 20
General Dam Maintenance Categories Instrumentation Spillway & Outlet Gates Vegetation Control Animal Control Electrical Mechanical Security Features Common Instrumentation Maintenance Flush piezometers Clean seepage measurement weirs Video and flush toe drains Repair damaged monuments Replace illegible staff gages Common Outlet Gate Maintenance All gates exercised annually!! Fully lubricate operators Repair, repaint, replace Corroded components Remove debris Don t over-torque!! Association of State Dam Safety Officials 21
Typical Sluice Gate Maintenance Sluice Gates Gate Operators Anchors Stems Gate Leaf Importance of Debris Removal Taintor Gate Maintenance Cables Gate Seals Skin Plate Association of State Dam Safety Officials 22
Importance of Vegetation Control Good Upstream Slope Lower Derby Dam, Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR, CO Poor Upstream Slope Upper Derby Dam, Rocky Mountain Arsenal NWR, CO USF&WS Tree Removal Guidelines Animal Damage and Control Keep Rodents off Earth Dams Immediately Repair Rodent Damage High Reservoir Low Reservoir Potential Short- Circuit for Seepage Shortened Seepage Path Internal (Phreatic) Water Level Association of State Dam Safety Officials 23
Common Concrete Problems Deteriorated Concrete Delamination Exposed Rebar Unsealed Joints Concrete Maintenance Tips Keep joints sealed Remove and repair delaminated areas Don t feather concrete edges Metalwork Maintenance The 3Rs of Metal Work Repaint! Repair! Replace! Association of State Dam Safety Officials 24
Electrical Maintenance Check current & voltage Keep components dry Periodically replace key components Calibrate per manufacturer s recommendations Mechanical Maintenance Manufacturer s submittals are invaluable Shop Drawings Parts List Lubrication Instructions Recommended Routine Maintenance Exercising Procedures Security Maintenance Locking Piezometer Caps Security Gates Handrails Fences Outlet Works Grates Association of State Dam Safety Officials 25
Other Common Maintenance Items QUESTION & ANSWER BREAK EMERGENCY OPERATIONS Association of State Dam Safety Officials 26
Emergency Operations The O&M Manual should have a clear distinction between: Normal Operations Emergency Operations Example: Emergency Triggers Table From USF&WS SOP Maintaining Emergency Supplies Consider on-site material and equipment for emergency response Most effective after understanding Potential Failure Modes Emergency equipment and materials also need to be maintained Association of State Dam Safety Officials 27
MAINTAINING O&M MANUALS Who Should Have O&M Manuals? O&M Manuals should be limited to those with direct O&M responsibility for the dam On-site dam operators Dam operator supervisors Your organization s dam safety engineers State and Federal regulators, only if required Periodic O&M Manual Review The O&M Manual should state when it should be reviewed and updated. Suggested intervals are: During key Periodic Inspections Example: Part 12D Inspections for FERC dams No longer than five year intervals When key operations personnel Retire from your organization Begin working at the dam After unusual events or operations incidents Association of State Dam Safety Officials 28
O&M Manual Revisions Revision Procedures should be documented in the manual Who is responsible for making revisions. How revisions are distributed. When are revisions made. A revision page should be included Near the front of the document Date footers to track revisions (see next slide) Example: O&M Manual Revision Sheets From USF&WS SOP OTHER HELPFUL O&M MANUAL SECTIONS Association of State Dam Safety Officials 29
Other Helpful O&M Manual Sections Project Features Plan Typical Cross-Sections Operator Training Program Descriptions of Potential Failure Modes Glossary of Dam Safety Terms List of Project References Operations Logs Inspection Checklists Capacity Curves Maintenance Manuals Key Shop Drawings Project Features Plan Reservoir Allocation Schematic Association of State Dam Safety Officials 30
Reservoir Capacity Curve Outlet Works Capacity Curve Shop Drawings Association of State Dam Safety Officials 31
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENDANCE TODAY For Additional Questions steve.jamieson@wwwheeler.com 303-761-4130 Water Resources Engineers Post Event Evaluation & Quiz Please click the following link to take the Seminar Evaluation and Quiz: http://e02.commpartners.com/users/asdso/po sttest.php?id=12534 You must complete the Seminar Evaluation and Quiz to receive PDH credit hours Association of State Dam Safety Officials 32