S-3.1.01, r. 1 - Dam Safety Regulation

Section 48 Disposition versions

2023-07-06

48. Whatever the failure consequence category entered in the register of dams, an engineer who carries out a dam safety review pursuant to section 47.1 must begin by carrying out an assessment of the dam’s failure consequence category pursuant to section 18.

If the assessment of the dam’s failure consequence category pursuant to section 18 demonstrates that the failure consequence category is “very low” or “low” and if the dam is not an associated dam, the dam owner must send the dam failure analysis to the Minister, together with a request for a review of classification in accordance with section 11.

If the assessment of the dam’s failure consequence category pursuant to section 18 confirms that the failure consequence category is equal to or greater than “moderate” or if the dam is an associated dam, the dam safety review must include

(1)  checking the condition and behaviour of the dam by means of

(a)  an inspection of every structural component;

(b)  an analysis of the compiled results of every inspection activity carried out since the last safety review or, in the absence of such a review, during the period considered appropriate by the engineer in charge of the review;

(c)  where applicable, a check of the instrumentation and an analysis of the readings since the last safety review or, in the absence of such a review, during the period considered appropriate by the engineer in charge of the review; and

(d)  a check of the functionality and reliability of the discharge facilities;

(2)  verifying the dam design by means of

(a)  a reappraisal of the design criteria, namely the data, assumptions and analysis methods considered at the time of dam design, in particular with reference to hydrology, hydraulics, structure, discharge capacity and flood routing; and

(b)  a validation of the stability of the dam and foundation, including the data and assumptions used to rule on the stability of the dam structure and foundation based on the design criteria current at the time of the dam safety review for the types of failure likely to occur;

(3)  analyzing the topography of the reservoir rim;

(4)  reviewing the dam’s classification;

(5)  drawing up or reviewing the impounded water management plan, if such a plan must be drawn up for the dam concerned in accordance with Subdivision 1 of Division III; and

(6)  drawing up or reviewing the emergency action plan, if such a plan must be drawn up for the dam concerned in accordance with Subdivision 2 of Division III.

O.C. 300-2002, s. 48; O.C. 901-2014, s. 13; O.C. 989-2023, s. 34.

2014-11-13

48. A dam safety review for a dam whose failure consequence category is equal to or greater than «moderate» must include;

(1)  checking the condition and behaviour of the dam by means of

(a)  an inspection of every structural component;

(b)  an analysis of the compiled results of every inspection carried out since the last safety review or, in the absence of such a review, during the period considered appropriate by the engineer in charge of the review;

(c)  where applicable, a check of the instrumentation and an analysis of the readings since the last safety review or, in the absence of such a review, during the period considered appropriate by the engineer in charge of the review; and

(d)  a check of the functionality and reliability of the discharge facilities;

(2)  verifying the dam design by means of

(a)  a reappraisal of the design criteria, namely, the data, assumptions and analysis methods considered at the time of dam design, in particular with reference to hydrology, hydraulics, structure, discharge capacity and flood routing; and

(b)  a validation of the stability of the dam and foundation, including, if the engineer in charge considers it appropriate, geotechnical investigations and static stability calculations or, where required, pseudostatic or dynamic stability calculations, of the structure and foundation of the dam based on dam design criteria in use at the time of the safety review, establishing new safety factors. The validation includes, if the engineer considers it appropriate, a characterization of the dam materials.

(3)  where applicable, checking the safety devices with which the dam is equipped, namely, emergency systems, emergency detector systems and back-up systems;

(3.1)  analysing the topography of the reservoir rim;

(4)  reviewing the dam’s classification; and

(5)  reviewing the impounded water management plan, if such a plan is required under Subdivision 1 of Division III for the dam undergoing the safety review.

O.C. 300-2002, s. 48; O.C. 901-2014, s. 13.

2012-09-01

48. The purpose of a dam safety review is to evaluate the safety, stability and functionality of a dam, the conformity of its design and construction with good practice and safety standards and to determine, where required, appropriate remedial measures. The review includes

(1)  checking the condition and behaviour of the dam by means of

(a)  a comprehensive inspection of every structural component;

(b)  an analysis of the compiled results of every inspection carried out since the last safety review or, in the absence of such a review, during the period considered appropriate by the engineer in charge of the review;

(c)  where applicable, a check of the instrumentation and an analysis of the readings since the last safety review or, in the absence of such a review, during the period considered appropriate by the engineer in charge of the review; and

(d)  a check of the functionality and reliability of the discharge facilities;

(2)  verifying the dam design by means of

(a)  a reappraisal of the design criteria, namely, the data, assumptions and analysis methods considered at the time of dam design, in particular with reference to hydrology, hydraulics, structure, discharge capacity and flood routing; and

(b)  a validation of the stability of the dam and foundation, including, if the engineer in charge considers it appropriate, geotechnical investigations and static stability calculations or, where required, pseudostatic or dynamic stability calculations, of the structure and foundation of the dam based on dam design criteria in use at the time of the safety review, establishing new safety factors. The validation includes, if the engineer considers it appropriate, a characterization of the dam materials.

(3)  where applicable, checking the safety devices with which the dam is equipped, namely, emergency systems, emergency detector systems and back-up systems;

(4)  reviewing the dam’s classification, which includes

(a)  validation of the parameters used to determine the vulnerability of the dam, in particular, the dam age, dam condition and reliability of discharge facilities; and

(b)  validation of the dam failure consequence category determined under sections 17 and 18; and

(5)  reviewing the impounded water management plan, if such a plan is required under Subdivision 1 of Division III for the dam undergoing the safety review.

O.C. 300-2002, s. 48.