2 CCR 402-1-7 - Design Requirements
7.1 This Rule
applies to design of new dams and alteration, modification, repair, or
enlargement of existing dams. In the case of existing dams, only the pertinent
sections will apply.
7.2
Inflow Design Flood (IDF) for Spillway Sizing.
7.2.1
Prescriptive Method. Table
7.1 provides rainfall requirements for the Inflow Design Flood (IDF) based on
Hydrologic Hazard. The spillway must safely route a flood generated by
Critical1 Rainfall shown in Table 7.1.
Table 7.1:Prescriptive IDF Requirements
|
Hydrologic Hazard |
Critical1 Rainfall |
|
Extreme |
Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) |
|
High |
0.01% AEP |
|
Significant |
0.1% AEP |
|
Low |
1% AEP |
1Critical refers to the controlling storm duration, spatial pattern, temporal distribution and other storm variables that result in the highest maximum reservoir water surface elevation during reservoir routing.
7.2.2
Consequence Estimation.
Consequence estimation for Hydrologic Hazard may be determined based on total
flood depth associated with an overtopping (or other plausible hydrologic
failure mode) dam failure flood or based on the incremental consequences
between such dam failure flood and that caused by the spillway base flood
immediately prior to dam failure. The spillway size is acceptable when it meets
or exceeds the IDF requirements of Table 7.1 for a given Hydrological Hazard
category.
7.2.3
Allowable
Rainfall Estimates for developing the IDF.
7.2.3.1
Probable Maximum Precipitation
(PMP). The Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) shall be developed using the
most current PMP estimates approved by the State Engineer.
7.2.3.2
Precipitation Frequency
Estimates. Frequency-based IDFs shall be developed using the most
current precipitation frequency estimates approved by the State
Engineer.
7.2.3.3
Site-Specific Extreme Precipitation Studies (SSEPS). SSEPS may be
used to determine the appropriate site-specific extreme storm precipitation
(PMP or precipitation frequency estimates) for the determination of the IDF.
The SSEPS must be approved by the State Engineer prior to acceptance.
7.2.4
Atmospheric Moisture
Factor . All rainfall depth estimates calculated by means acceptable to
the State Engineer shall be multiplied by a factor of 1.07 prior to calculating
runoff to account for expected increases in temperature and associated
increases in atmospheric moisture availability over the 50-year period 2020 to
2070.
7.2.5
Flood Frequency
Analysis. Using systematic records, historical flood information, and
paleoflood and botanical information, flood frequency analysis may be used to
determine a required frequency flood for spillway sizing purposes. Flood
frequency analysis shall follow applicable, current, published guidelines and
procedures, such as
Guidelines For Determining Flood Flow
Frequency (ACWI Bulletin 17C, USGS, 2018).
7.2.6
Hydrologic Basin Response
Requirements. Rainfall-runoff modeling used to develop an IDF shall
consider basin size, elevation of the basin, various soil permeabilities,
various vegetative covers, and other factors related to the routing of the
storm event. Snowmelt conditions and rain-on-snow events shall be considered as
base flow when appropriate.
7.3
Geological and Geotechnical
Investigations.
7.3.1 Geological and
geotechnical engineering investigations shall be conducted under the
supervision of an Engineer or Geologist experienced in geotechnical or
geological engineering for dams.
7.3.2
Geological Site
Characterization. A geological assessment of the dam and reservoir site
is required for all dams classified as High or Significant Hazard. The
geological assessment shall include, at a minimum:
A. Regional geologic setting;
B. Local and site geology;
C. Geologic suitability of the dam
foundation, reservoir rim stability, and reservoir area leakage;
D. Regional and site seismicity;
E. All other potential geological hazards
affecting the project; and
F. A
site-specific geologic map based upon published records and field observations.
The geologic mapping shall cover the reservoir area, dam, abutments, and the
locations of all appurtenant structures.
7.3.3
Subsurface Investigation
Plans. A subsurface investigation plan must be approved by the State
Engineer prior to mobilization for all proposed subsurface investigations. The
plan shall include the following:
A.
Objective(s) of the investigation and descriptions of the specific Potential
Failure Modes being addressed in the investigation;
B. Names and qualifications of the
investigation team including lead geotechnical or geological engineer, field
engineers, and geologists;
C.
Figures and description of the existing conditions;
D. Drilling, test pits, and other in-situ
testing procedures; and
E.
Contingency plans.
7.3.3.1 Drilling
methods in all dams and dam foundations shall be chosen to minimize the risk of
hydraulic fracturing or otherwise damaging the strata or formations being
drilled. Drilling on or within 200 feet of existing dams is prohibited unless
approved by the State Engineer.
7.3.4
Subsurface Geotechnical
Investigations. Subsurface investigations shall be conducted for all new
dams and for all modifications to existing dams where appropriate. The
subsurface investigation shall include a characterization of the geotechnical
and geologic foundation conditions as follows. More extensive investigation and
reporting may be required, depending on project-specific needs.
7.3.4.1
High and Significant Hazard
Dams. Subsurface geotechnical investigations for High and Significant
Hazard dams shall require the following, at a minimum:
A. Drilling at least three borings along the
dam centerline to a depth 1.5 times the height of the dam and at least 10 feet
into competent bedrock;
B.
Additional borings or test pits within or near the dam footprint, as
required;
C. Logs of borings and
test pits;
D. Standard Penetration
Testing;
E. Field density tests, as
appropriate;
F. Field
classification of rock and soil;
G.
Measurement of the water level in each drill hole; and
H. In-situ permeability tests.
7.3.4.2
Low Hazard and NPH
Dams. Subsurface geotechnical investigations for Low Hazard and NPH dams
shall require the following, at a minimum:
A.
Drilling at least three borings along the dam centerline to a depth 1.5 times
the height of the dam or at least 10 feet into bedrock;
B. Field classification of rock and
soil;
C. Logs of borings and test
pits; and
D. Standard Penetration
Testing.
7.3.4.3
Spillways, Outlet Works, and Appurtenant Structures. Subsurface
geotechnical investigations for spillways, outlet works and appurtenant
structures shall include the following, at a minimum:
A. An evaluation of the site's suitability to
accommodate the spillway or structure;
B. Field classification of soils along the
alignment of the spillway or under the structure;
C. A profile of soils along the spillway
channel extending to a depth of at least five feet below the bottom of the
spillway;
D. Density or bearing
capacity of foundation soils beneath structures except for riprapped or unlined
sections of the spillway channel;
E. Erodibility of unlined natural spillway
channels; and
F. For structures
founded on rock, a geologic description of the foundation rock including a
description of the bedding and jointing patterns.
7.3.4.4
Underground
Construction. Where tunneling or other underground construction is
anticipated, subsurface investigation depths, orientations, methods, and
testing shall be tailored to the geologic setting and details of the
underground construction anticipated at each site, as recommended by a
Geologist.
7.3.4.5
Borrow
Sources.
7.3.4.5.1 Subsurface
geotechnical investigations for borrow sources shall include an evaluation of
the availability, suitability, and quantity of all earth and rock materials
proposed for construction of the dam as designed. Determination of the adequacy
of borrow sources shall be based on field and laboratory testing.
7.3.4.5.2 Borrow areas shall be located so
they do not negatively impact the dam stability or foundation seepage. Borrow
areas shall be located at least 200 feet outside the dam footprint, unless an
analysis approved by the State Engineer indicates a lesser distance is
acceptable.
7.3.5
Laboratory Testing.
Laboratory testing of all proposed native and imported construction materials,
and foundation and abutment materials, shall be performed to provide
engineering justification for the selected design criteria.
7.3.5.1
High and Significant Hazard
Dams. Laboratory testing for High and Significant Hazard earth and
rockfill embankment dams shall include the following tests, at a minimum:
A. Classification of all soil and rock
materials based on standard index tests, including hydrometer tests as
necessary for clay soils;
B.
Directly measured shear strengths of all materials using test methods
appropriate for the material tested;
C. Residual strength of high plasticity soils
or weak rock;
D. Compressibility of
all soil and rock materials;
E.
Consolidation and expansion characteristics of all soil and rock
materials;
F. Permeability of all
in-situ and placed materials;
G.
Moisture/density relationships of all materials to be compacted;
H. Potential dispersiveness and erodibility
of all soils;
I. Solubility of all
rock materials;
J. Density,
quality, soundness, and durability of all rock materials; and
K. Corrosion potential.
7.3.5.2
Low Hazard and NPH Dams.
Laboratory testing for Low Hazard and No Public Hazard earth and rockfill
embankment dams shall include the following tests, at a minimum:
A. Classification of all soil and rock
materials based on standard index tests, and
B. Moisture/density relationships of all
materials to be compacted.
7.4
Embankment Dam Design.
7.4.1
Foundation and Abutment
Design. The dam foundation and abutments shall be analyzed and design
criteria selected to meet the following requirements:
7.4.1.1 Unsuitable materials shall be removed
from the dam foundation and abutments, unless appropriate analyses demonstrate
the unsuitable material can be adequately treated so it will not adversely
affect the safety and performance of the dam. Unsuitable materials include, but
are not limited to liquefiable, dispersive, organic, expansive, and collapsible
soils; slaking shales; soluble rock; clay seams in rock; and poor-quality
rock.
7.4.1.2 The dam foundation
geometry shall be designed to prevent the creation of low stress zones in the
embankment that could cause differential settlement and cracking of the
dam.
7.4.1.3 The foundation shall
be treated as required to prevent deformation or instability of the dam caused
by foundation movement as a result of heave, swell, rebound, settlement, or
collapse.
7.4.1.4
Seepage
Control and Foundation Drainage Design Criteria.
7.4.1.4.1 The design shall include
quantification of the anticipated seepage beneath and around the dam. Seepage
through the abutments and foundation shall be minimized through adequate
treatment. Foundation and abutment seepage shall be controlled through filtered
exits to prevent piping and internal erosion.
7.4.1.4.2 Foundation drainage design shall be
provided to reduce or control uplift pressures that would affect the stability
of the dam. The efficiency of the drainage system to reduce uplift pressures
under the dam shall be based upon the geology of the dam foundation. The
ability to maintain the drainage system to meet the requirements assumed for
the design of the dam shall be addressed.
7.4.2
Embankment Design
Requirements. The dam embankment shall be analyzed and designed to meet
the following requirements:
7.4.2.1
Crest Design.
7.4.2.1.1 The
crest width shall be equal to the jurisdictional height of the dam in feet
divided by 5, plus 10 feet. The maximum crest width required shall be 25
feet.
7.4.2.1.2 The crest shall
have a camber sufficient to maintain the design freeboard, based on the
anticipated magnitude of crest settlement. The anticipated magnitude of crest
settlement shall be based on engineering analyses. In no case shall the camber
be less than 0.5 feet.
7.4.2.1.3
The crest design shall include details to protect impervious cores from
desiccation or frost penetration.
7.4.2.1.4 The crest shall be provided with
adequate cross slopes to the upstream edge to prevent ponding and facilitate
drainage.
7.4.2.1.5 Roads located
on the dam crest shall have appropriate surfacing to provide a stable base that
resists rutting and provides adequate traction for safety in wet
conditions.
7.4.2.2
Freeboard Design. Freeboard for earth and rockfill embankment dams
shall be designed in accordance with
Freeboard (Design Standard No. 13,
Chapter 6, Reclamation, 2012), except as follows:
7.4.2.2.1 The minimum normal freeboard shall
be the greater of 3 feet or the wave setup and runup generated by a sustained
100 mile per hour wind.
7.4.2.2.2
The minimum residual freeboard shall be the greater of 1 foot or a 10 percent
AEP wind generated setup and runup.
7.4.2.3
Embankment Zoning.
Shells, cores, filters, and drains for embankment dams shall be designed using
industry standards consistent with the current state of the practice.
7.4.2.3.1 All dam embankments shall be
protected against internal erosion and piping with suitable filters and
drains.
7.4.2.3.2 Shells shall be
designed to support the core/impermeable barrier. Transition zones shall be
provided as necessary to prevent migration of core material.
7.4.2.4
Seepage and Internal
Drainage Design. Evaluation of steady state seepage and internal
drainage conditions shall be performed. The seepage and internal drainage
design shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
7.4.2.4.1 Steady state seepage shall be
analyzed using numerical modeling. All modeling input parameters shall be
justified and clearly documented.
7.4.2.4.2 All seepage exit points shall be
filter protected.
7.4.2.4.3 Drains
shall collect and convey seepage to designated monitoring points.
7.4.2.4.4 The filter compatibility of the
drain, transition zone, and embankment materials shall be evaluated utilizing
current state of the practice methodologies. Granular filter materials must be
self-healing and free of cementitious properties.
7.4.2.4.5 Drains shall consist of slotted or
perforated pipe surrounded with filter-compatible free draining gravel. The
gravel shall be filter-compatible with the surrounding filter
material.
7.4.2.4.6 Pipes to
collect and safely route seepage flows from internal filters and drains shall:
A. Be no smaller than 6 inches in
diameter;
B. Accommodate internal
inspection of the entire drain system;
C. Be designed to flow with a water depth no
greater than 1/4 of the diameter of the pipe for the estimated seepage
flows;
D. Be provided with
cleanouts and access points for internal camera inspection, cleaning, and
repair;
E. Be comprised of material
that is non-corrodible and non-collapsible for the estimated overlying earth
pressures and anticipated settlement or ground movement associated with dam
construction;
F. Discharge freely
into locations where flow rates can be measured, such as galleries, manholes,
vaults, or headwalls;
G. Project
beyond vertical walls to facilitate discharge measurement;
H. Be inspected after a maximum of 3 to 5
feet of fill placed over pipe, and again after remaining fill has been
placed;
I. Be equipped with rodent
screens in locations where the discharge ends of the pipes are accessible to
animals; and
J. Be designed with
multiple discharge points in order to isolate seepage to various sections of
the dam and foundation.
7.4.2.4.7 All penetrations through
embankments shall be filter protected against concentrated leakage along the
conduit.
7.4.2.5
Embankment Stability.
7.4.2.5.1
High and Significant Hazard Dams. Stability analyses shall be
performed for all High and Significant Hazard dams to demonstrate that
embankments are stable during construction and under all conditions of
reservoir operation.
7.4.2.5.1.1 Analyses
shall represent the critical cross section(s). Where appropriate, the analyses
shall consider non-circular or wedge-shaped failure surfaces, as well as
circular failure surfaces.
7.4.2.5.1.2 Loading conditions selected for
evaluation shall be based on the full range of conditions anticipated before,
during, and after construction. Soil strength parameters, pore pressure
characteristics, and target minimum factors of safety for the required loading
conditions shall be selected in accordance with the principles provided in
Static Stability Analysis, (Design
Standards No. 13, Chapter 4, Reclamation, 2011) or
Slope
Stability, (EM 1110-2-1902, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
2003).
7.4.2.5.2
Low Hazard and NPH Dams. Low Hazard or NPH dams shall be designed
with upstream slopes no steeper than 3H:1V and downstream slopes no steeper
than 2H:1V unless it can be demonstrated that steeper slopes will be
stable.
7.4.2.6
Settlement and Consolidation. All dams shall be analyzed and
designed to prevent deformation or instability caused by movement as a result
of settlement, consolidation, or collapse.
7.4.2.7
Cracking. All dams shall
be analyzed and designed to prevent the formation of cracks due to differential
settlement or creation of low stress zones that could lead to hydraulic
fracturing.
7.4.2.8
Upstream
Slope Erosion Protection. Embankments shall be protected against
external erosion. Slope protection for wave action is required to be provided
on the entire upstream slope of the dam, unless lesser coverage is justified
based on engineering analysis and reservoir operational criteria.
7.4.2.8.1
Rock Riprap. Rock
riprap shall be well-graded, durable, sized to withstand design wave action,
and shall be placed on a well-graded pervious sand and/or gravel bedding or
acceptable geotextile fabric that is filter compatible with the underlying
embankment zone.
7.4.2.8.2
Soil Cement. Soil cement slope protection design and construction
specifications shall be based on the principles provided in Soil Cement Slope
Protection (Design Standards No. 13, Chapter 17, Reclamation, 2013).
7.4.2.9
Downstream slope
erosion protection. The downstream slope of earth embankment dams shall
be provided with a well maintained vegetative cover to prevent surface
erosion.
7.4.2.10
Geosynthetics. The use of geosynthetics shall be evaluated by the
State Engineer on a case-by-case basis. Geosynthetics will not be accepted
where failure of the geosynthetic could jeopardize the safety of the dam.
Geosynthetic materials shall be used in accordance with the manufacturers'
recommendations and intended use for each product.
7.4.3
Material Placement and Compaction
Requirements. Material placement and compaction shall meet the minimum
requirements:
7.4.3.1 Minimum compacted
density for embankment materials shall be 95 percent of maximum dry density for
ASTM D698 (Standard Proctor).
7.4.3.2 Impervious zones with clay fines
shall be placed at close to optimum moisture content to prevent overcompacted,
brittle zones.
7.4.3.3 The density
for cohesionless filter and drain materials shall range between 65-and
75-percent relative density as determined by ASTM D4253 and D4254, or other
method(s) approved by the State Engineer.
7.4.3.4 Construction of filters and drains
shall be based on placement procedures developed through a test fill program to
verify acceptable density and avoid excessive particle breakdown.
7.4.3.5 Filter and drain zones shall be
constructed with sufficient thickness to prevent contamination or loss of
continuity that would adversely impact the performance of these
features.
7.5
Concrete Dam Design Requirements.
7.5.1 For all concrete dams, the following
design considerations shall be addressed and documented in the Design Report:
7.5.1.1 The crest of the dam shall have a
width of not less than 5 feet.
7.5.1.2 If the crest of the dam is designed
to function as the emergency spillway, it shall not be overtopped by floods
more frequent than the one percent AEP flood.
7.5.1.3 Emergency spillway discharge for
flows up to the inflow design flood shall not cause excessive downstream
erosion of the abutments and foundation.
7.5.1.4 The design shall include provisions
for installation, maintenance, and monitoring of drainage features.
7.5.1.5 A concrete mix design containing
proposed aggregate properties, source of aggregate, concrete properties, and
proposed cementitious contents shall be provided.
7.5.1.6 Specifications shall include
provisions for placing concrete under cold weather, hot weather, and
rain.
7.5.2
Arch
Dams. Concrete arch dams shall be designed in accordance with principles
provided in
Arch Dam Design (EM
1110-2-2201, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,1994),
Design
Criteria for Concrete Arch and Gravity Dams (Engineering
Monograph No. 19, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 1977),
Design
of Arch Dams (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 1977), or
Arch Dams (Chapter 11, Federal Energy
Regulatory Commission, 2018).
7.5.3
Gravity Dams. Concrete gravity dams shall be designed in
accordance with the following Rules and
Gravity Dam
Design (EM 1110-2-2200, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
1995),
Design Criteria for Concrete Arch and Gravity
Dams (Engineering Monograph No. 19, U.S. Bureau of
Reclamation, 1977),
Design of Gravity
Dams (U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 1976), or
Gravity Dams (Chapter 3, Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission, 2016) with the following additions:
7.5.3.1 When the design relies on the
reduction of uplift pressures from dam and foundation drains, the effectiveness
of the drains shall be verified and monitored for the life of the dam via the
installation of piezometers.
7.5.3.2 If the seismic loading scenario shows
a crack may form along the base of the dam or the foundation may sustain
damage, a post-earthquake analysis will be required to show that the dam and
foundation can withstand the usual and unusual loading conditions in their
"damaged" state.
7.5.3.3 Dams in
excess of fifty feet in height shall include a drainage gallery.
7.5.4
Roller Compacted
Concrete (RCC) Dams. Roller compacted dams shall be designed in
accordance with the following Rules and
Roller-Compacted
Concrete (EM 1110-2-2006, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
2000) or
Roller-Compacted Concrete
(U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 2017) with the following additions:
7.5.4.1 The dam design shall include adequate
control of cracking in the upstream facing system and concrete mass caused by
thermal shrinkage of the concrete. Crack control provisions shall include
controlling excessive heat of hydration by use of fly ash and limiting in-place
concrete temperature.
7.5.4.2
Adequate cold joint treatment shall be provided in the specifications to
prevent formation of unbonded lift joints that could become potential paths for
seepage.
7.5.4.3 Design dimensions
shall be able to be constructed with conventional earthwork equipment,
particularly between the upstream face of the dam and the drainage gallery, and
within the chimney section.
7.5.4.4
RCC shall be protected with conventional facing concrete, or equivalent
protection.
7.5.4.5
Material
Placement. The construction of RCC dams shall meet the following
requirements:
7.5.4.5.1 An RCC test section
shall be constructed outside the dam footprint at least twenty one (21) days
before production placement of the RCC. The final mix design and method of
construction shall be approved by the State Engineer prior to production
placement.
7.5.4.5.2 The Engineer
shall provide full-time observation by qualified field staff during RCC test
section and production placement.
7.5.4.5.3 Locations of all cold joints shall
be documented.
7.5.4.5.4
Representative RCC cores shall be taken from the completed dam to verify design
strengths. RCC cores shall be 6-inch diameter.
7.5.4.5.5 The dam shall be allowed to reach
design strength before initial filling of the reservoir.
7.6
Seismic
Design Requirements. Seismic stability shall be evaluated for all
concrete dams and High and Significant Hazard embankment dams. The level of
analysis required shall be commensurate with the known and anticipated site
conditions and the level of effort given to developing input parameters. In
general, analyses should start at a screening level and progress to more
detailed analyses only when necessary. Seismic stability analyses shall be
based on the principles provided in
Earthquake Analyses and
Design of Dams (FEMA-65, Federal Guidelines for Dam
Safety, FEMA, 2005),
Best Practices Chapter
II-3 (Reclamation and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
2015),
Seismic Analysis and Design
(Design Standards No. 13 Chapter 13, Reclamation, 2015),
Earthquake Design and Evaluation for Civil Works
Projects (Engineering Regulation 1110-2-1806, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, 2016), or
Earthquake Design and
Evaluation of Concrete Hydraulic Structures (Engineering
Manual 1110-2-6053, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2007).
7.6.1
Seismic Hazard Analysis.
The seismic hazards, consisting of the design earthquakes and associated ground
motions, shall be determined. The seismic hazards shall be justified with due
consideration to the hazard classification of the structure, regional and
site-specific seismic hazard considerations, and the designated operational
function of the dam.
7.6.2
Dynamic Response Analysis. Analyses to predict the structural
response to seismic loading are required except as described in Rule 7.6.2.1 .
All seismic analyses shall be evaluated assuming loading and pore pressure
conditions expected immediately prior to the earthquake. Acceptable methods for
predicting structural response to seismic loading include, but are not limited
to, post-earthquake stability, embankment deformation, and probabilistic
analyses. Pseudostatic analyses are not an acceptable means of predicting
structural response to seismic loading.
7.6.2.1 Dynamic Response Analyses are not
required for embankment dams meeting all of the following conditions. The
potential for embankment cracking (transverse or longitudinal), damage to
appurtenant features (e.g., outlet-works tunnels), and overtopping due to
seiche waves as the result of seismic activity are not addressed by these
exceptions and shall be considered separately.
A. The dam and foundation materials are not
subject to liquefaction and do not include sensitive clays;
B. The dam is reliably compacted to at least
95 percent of the laboratory maximum dry density, or to a relative density
greater than 65 percent;
C. The
slopes of the dam are 2.5H:1V or flatter, and/or the phreatic line is well
below the downstream face of the embankment;
D. The peak ground acceleration (PGA) at the
base of the embankment is less than or equal to 0.35g at 0.01% AEP;
E. The static stability factor of safety for
all potential failure surfaces involving loss of crest elevation (i.e., slides
other than shallow surficial slides) are greater than 1.5 under loading and
pore-pressure conditions expected immediately prior to the
earthquake;
F. The minimum
freeboard is at least 3 to 5 percent of the embankment height and never less
than 3 feet; and
G. There are no
appurtenant features that would be harmed by small movements of the embankment,
or that could create potential for internal erosion or other potential failure
modes.
7.7
Instrumentation and Monitoring
Requirements.
7.7.1 The Owner shall
submit a plan for installation of all new instrumentation and flow measurement
devices for review and approval.
7.7.2
Instrumentation Plan. An
instrumentation plan is required and shall meet the following requirements:
7.7.2.1 All instrumentation shall be properly
identified in the field to correspond to the identification of the
instrumentation in the long-term monitoring plan required in Rule
13.4.
7.7.2.2 Gage rods shall be
installed at all dams to accurately measure reservoir levels. The zero mark of
the gage shall be aligned vertically with the invert elevation of the entrance
to the outlet. The gage rod shall be located in an easily accessible location
and clearly marked in feet and tenths of feet, and extend to within one foot of
the crest of the dam. If the Division Engineer so requires, the gage shall be
marked in hundredths of a foot.
7.7.2.3
High and Significant Hazard
Dams. High and Significant Hazard dams shall have the following minimum
instrumentation:
7.7.2.3.1 Monuments that
allow measurement of the horizontal and vertical movements of the dam,
installed in accordance with industry standards and in a manner acceptable to
the State Engineer. Monuments shall be located with such spacing as deemed
appropriate by the Engineer and approved by the State Engineer. Control or
benchmark monuments shall be placed off the dam on natural ground in areas not
subject to movement.
7.7.2.3.2
Weirs, flumes, or other measuring devices to provide for monitoring of seepage
through the embankment or foundation, installed in a manner acceptable to the
State Engineer. Positive drainage away from all seepage monitoring devices
shall be provided to prevent the device from becoming submerged.
7.7.2.3.3 Station markers at least every 100
feet along the crest of the dam.
7.7.2.3.4 Piezometers to allow monitoring of
the phreatic surface within the dam or uplift pressures within the foundation,
installed in accordance with industry standards and in a manner acceptable to
the State Engineer. A Subsurface Investigation Plan shall be submitted for
approval by the State Engineer pursuant to Rule 7.3.3 prior to new piezometer
construction.
7.7.2.3.5 Where
drainage galleries are provided for concrete dams, seepage measuring devices
shall be provided at the appropriate locations and be accessible for making the
necessary readings.
7.7.2.4
Low Hazard Dams. Low
Hazard dams shall have weirs, flumes or other measuring devices to provide for
monitoring and measurement of seepage through the embankment or foundation,
installed in a manner acceptable to the State Engineer.
7.8
Spillway and Outlet
Works Design Requirements.
7.8.1
Spillway Design. All spillways shall be designed and constructed
in a manner acceptable to the State Engineer and to meet the following
criteria:
7.8.1.1 The starting water surface
elevation when routing the IDF shall be the emergency spillway crest unless a
lower starting water surface can be justified.
7.8.1.2 The spillway shall safely route the
IDF back to the natural channel or drainage way that would exist if the dam
were not built. The Owner shall possess title to the property, a right-of-way,
or easement from the high water line in the reservoir to the natural channel,
including the stilling basin downstream.
7.8.1.3 Log booms or other methods approved
by the State Engineer shall be installed in the spillway approach where logs
and other debris may block spillway flow or damage the spillway
structure.
7.8.1.4 Pipe emergency
spillways are not acceptable.
7.8.1.5 The design report shall include
discharge tables (in cubic feet per second) for all spillways showing the
discharge for each foot of head between the crest of the spillways and dam. The
equation(s) used for determining the discharge shall also be included. Crest
elevations of all spillways and the dam shall be clearly noted on the
tables.
7.8.1.6
Overtopping
Protection Design. Overtopping protection for existing embankment dams
may be used to safely route the IDF only where no other alternatives are
feasible. The design of overtopping protection shall be based on the principles
provided in
Overtopping Protection for
Dams (P-1015, FEMA, 2014).
7.8.1.6.1 Soil-cement shall not be used for
embankment overtopping protection.
7.8.2
Outlet Works Design. All
outlet systems shall be designed and installed in a manner acceptable to the
State Engineer and shall meet the following criteria:
7.8.2.1 Outlets shall be capable of releasing
the top five feet of the reservoir capacity in five (5) days. Final outlet size
should reflect consideration of seasonal reservoir inflows and consequences of
releases or dam failure. The outlet shall be capable of releasing the entire
reservoir in a reasonable period of time. In addition, outlets shall be capable
of passing inflow to the reservoir with a minimum of ten feet of head, in order
to meet the demands of downstream senior water rights and the Owner's release
requirements. The minimum size required for outlet conduits and controls is 12
inches.
7.8.2.2 All outlets
connected to a pipeline shall have a bypass valve near the dam that will meet
the capacity criteria as defined in Rule 7.8.2.1.
7.8.2.3 Outlet conduits for all dams, except
for dams with ungated outlets, shall have a guard gate installed at the
upstream end of the conduit.
7.8.2.4 Intake structures for outlet works
shall have trash racks.
7.8.2.5 The
Design Report shall include an outlet discharge table (in cubic feet per
second) showing the discharge for each foot of head between the invert of the
intake structure and the crest of the dam. The equation(s) used for determining
the discharge shall also be included. Elevations of all outlets and spillways
shall be clearly noted on the table.
7.9
Reservoir and Site
Requirements.
7.9.1 The area to be
submerged by the new or enlarged reservoir shall be cleared of trees and
debris.
7.9.2 The dam crest and
appurtenant structures shall be accessible by equipment and vehicles for
emergency operations and maintenance.
7.9.3 The Owner shall demonstrate ownership
or recorded easement for the following:
7.9.3.1 Footprint of the dam, appurtenant
structures, and permanent access for a minimum distance of 50 feet or the
height of the dam, whichever is greater, extending downstream from the toe of
the dam.
7.9.3.2 Spillway discharge
channels meeting the requirements of Rule 7.8.1.2.
7.9.3.3 All areas inundated by the reservoir
and IDF surcharge.
7.9.4
Pipelines, utility lines, or any other construction that penetrates through the
dam, abutment areas below the dam crest elevation, or that are within a
distance of 50 feet or the height of the dam, whichever is greater, from either
toe of the dam shall not be allowed without prior written approval by the State
Engineer.
Notes
State regulations are updated quarterly; we currently have two versions available. Below is a comparison between our most recent version and the prior quarterly release. More comparison features will be added as we have more versions to compare.
No prior version found.