SMALL DAMS PETITS BARRAGES

6. GUIDELINES ON SURVEILLANCE OF SMALL DAMS
6.1 INTRODUCTION
The owners and project engineers, who are responsible for the safe and economic
operation of dams need to be adequately informed about the following:
� How to detect, measure, evaluate and remedy problems which may adversely affect
safe and economic performance of the dam, its appurtenances and equipment?
� How to comply with governmental regulations pertaining to dam safety?
� How to integrate inspection and Dam Performance Evaluation Program activities, with
operation and maintenance of the project?
� What type of organization and assignment of responsibility for inspection, data
collection and reporting would be practical and effective in promoting safe and economical
project operation?
� What are the desired qualifications of a dam safety inspector?
� What should be the frequency and scope of visual inspections?
� When the inspection reports and monitoring data are received, how to evaluate and
analyze the data and what follow-up actions to take?
� What are the remedial actions which could be taken to alleviate or correct certain
problems to restore the structure to an acceptable operating condition?
6.2 SAFETY SURVEILLANCE
It is always important to a dam owner to play an important role in the dam safety
process. Frequent visits to the dam are needed to enable to observe any problem that may be
developing and affecting the dam safety.
� If the dam fails, the dam owner are likely to be liable for any loss of life, injury or
damage which results from the accident;
� Even if a failure does not cause damage outside his property, the cost of remedial
work can easily exceed the original construction cost of the dam.
A property owner who is planning to build a new dam must minimize the possibility of
failure, attached liability and could also contribute to the safety of the dam by:
� Having the dam designed, constructed and supervised by a qualified and experienced
professional engineer;
� Establishing a program of regular inspections (surveillance) and periodic
maintenance, including the keeping of appropriate records;
� Monitoring conditions that may affect the safety of dams, be able to recognize the
signs of potential problems and imminent failure;
� Having an experienced dam engineer investigating any unusual conditions which
could result in total or particle failure;
� Knowing what to do and who to contact when such problem appear.
93