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Technical Manual: Conduits through Embankment Dams (FEMA 484)

Technical Manual: Conduits through Embankment Dams (FEMA 484)

Technical Manual: Conduits through Embankment Dams (FEMA 484)

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<strong>Conduits</strong> <strong>through</strong> <strong>Embankment</strong> <strong>Dams</strong>Figure B-40.—Deepening of the initial breach channel.B-40). However, the control section, where the flow transitions from subcritical tosupercritical flow, was located in the breach channel, where backcutting could occurand cause a large uncontrolled release. The reservoir basin upstream of the breachwould have to be excavated in order to move the control section back into thereservoir. The inmates donned hip-waders and began the arduous task of excavatingunderwater, and after an hour’s effort, the control section was safely located severalfeet back into the reservoir. Empire Dam was completely breached by July 2, andthe reservoir drained in a very efficient and cost-effective manner.Lessons learnedThis event demonstrated that with a relatively small reservoir and small embankmentdam height, the reservoir can be released in a controlled manner by performing acontrolled breach of the embankment dam. The event also demonstrated that heavyequipment is not always needed to perform such a task. Care should be employedwhen attempting to release water from the reservoir by means of a controlled breachof the embankment dam.ReferenceColorado Division of Water Resources, Dam Safety Engineers Inspection ReportFiles—Incident Report for Empire Dam, State Engineers Office, Dam Safety Branch,1997.B-44

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