2 CCR 402-1-11 - General Maintenance, Ordinary Repairs, and Emergency Actions

11.1 General maintenance and ordinary repairs that do not require prior approval of the State Engineer include those activities that do not impair the safety of the dam. When questions arise concerning this Rule, the determination of general maintenance and ordinary repair will be made by the State Engineer. General maintenance and ordinary repair activities include the following:

11.1.1 Removal of brush or tall weeds.

11.1.2 Cutting of trees with trunk diameter less than 6-inches and removing slash from the embankment or spillway.

11.1.3 Rodent control, removal or extermination and repair of minor rodent damage. Damage that has already weakened the dam shall be repaired in accordance with Rule 6.

11.1.4 Repair of erosion gullies on the embankment or in the spillway. Large gullies that have already weakened the dam shall be repaired in accordance with Rule 6.

11.1.5 Surface grading of the embankment crest or spillway to eliminate potholes and provide proper drainage with properly compacted material, provided that the freeboard is not reduced. Placement of material in excess of 1 foot in depth to provide freeboard is not considered general maintenance and shall be performed in accordance with Rule 6.

11.1.6 Placement of additional riprap and bedding on the upstream slope, or in areas of the spillway that have sustained minor damage. Such placement shall be limited to restoring the original riprap protection. Repair of the underlying embankment is not considered general maintenance and shall be performed in accordance with Rule 6.

11.1.7 Painting or caulking metal structures, or lubricating mechanical equipment.

11.1.8 Patching, sealing, or caulking spalled or cracked concrete surfaces to prevent deterioration.

11.1.9 Removing debris, rock, or earth from outlet conduits, outlet channels, or spillway channels.

11.1.10 Patching or sealing surface damage to prevent further deterioration within outlet conduits.

11.1.11 Replacement of worn or damaged parts of outlet valves or controls to restore to original condition.

11.1.12 Repair or replacement of fences intended to keep traffic or livestock off the dam or spillway.

11.1.13 Landscaping of new and existing dams and spillway channels is not general maintenance and will not be allowed without the prior approval of the State Engineer. No trees or large vegetation shall be planted within 25 feet of the footprint of the dam.

11.2 Emergency Action . Emergency actions not impairing the safety of the dam may be taken before consultation and guidance can be provided by an Engineer, and do not require prior approval of the State Engineer. Emergency actions are interim solutions only and may not serve as a permanent solution to the problem(s) being addressed. Additional remedial actions may be required after the emergency passes. Emergency actions may include:

A. Stockpiling materials such as riprap, earthfill, sand, sandbags, and plastic sheeting;

B. Lowering the reservoir level by making controlled releases through the outlet or a gated spillway, by pumping, or by siphoning. Where large releases are to be made, the Division Engineer, Dam Safety Engineer and Local Emergency Manager shall be notified;

C. Armoring eroding areas by placing sandbags, riprap, plastic sheeting, or other available material;

D. Plugging leakage entrances on the upstream slope;

E. Increasing freeboard by placing sandbags or temporary earthfill on the dam;

F. Diverting flood waters around the reservoir or closing inflow diversions;

G. Constructing training berms to control flood waters;

H. Placing sandbag ring dikes around boils at the downstream toe to provide back pressure; and/or

I. Removing obstructions from outlet or spillway flow areas.

11.3 Emergency Excavation. Lowering the water level by excavating the spillway or embankment is prohibited unless failure of the dam is imminent.

11.4 Emergency Notification. The State Engineer shall be notified as soon as reasonably possible of any emergency condition that exists and any emergency action taken with or without prior approval of the State Engineer.

11.5 Emergency Action Plan. For all High and Significant Hazard dams, the Emergency Action Plan shall be implemented in conjunction with any emergency actions taken.

Notes

2 CCR 402-1-11

42 CR 23, December 10, 2019, effective 1/1/2020