Embankment Dam Inspection Report V1.2.6

• Document status

  Initiated

  In progress

  Complete

  Approved

• Dam Name

• Dam location

• Dam owner / operator

• Basic information on the dam

• Photos of the dam

  Media

• Type of inspection

  Informal

  Special

  Routine

  Annual

  Other

• Conducted on

  Date

• Weather conditions

  Select Sunny Cloudy Windy Light rain Heavy read

  • Sunny
  • Cloudy
  • Windy
  • Light rain
  • Heavy read

• Ground Moisture Condition

  Dry

  Wet

• Reservoir level

• Spillage?

  Yes

  No

• approximate discharge (m3/s)

• Inspector

• Attendees

• General notes

• Previous dam inspection report available?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Conducted on

• Inspector

• Main findings

• Conclusion

• Recommendations

• Comments

• Inspections provide insight on how the dam is operating under current weather conditions and there are also a way to monitor the dam’s performance. Early detection of gradual changes can minimize problems and reduce maintenance.
  The dam should be inspected after a flooding event or post emergency situation to ensure there has been no structural damage and that all dam equipment is operating correctly.
  Observations from visual inspections should be documented in a consistent manner, using standardized, site-specific inspection forms supplemented with photographic records. Surveillance documentation must adequately filed
  

• Slips or erosion evident?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Trees, woody debris, trash present?

  No

  Yes

• Excessive sediment present?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Reservoir general notes

• Reservoir photos

  Media

Upstream Slope

• Slope appears too steep?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Inadequate ground cover (loss of riprap material, stone weathering/alteration)?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Poor quality or improperly sized riprap deteriorates and does not protect the slope against wave action or erosion. Important to insure/restore the protection of the upstream slope.

• Trees and/or brush?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Trees and brush should never be allowed to grow on upstream slope of the dam. The root systems of trees can be a potential hazard by allowing seepage pathways to develop through a dam.

• Sinkholes, depressions, slides, or bulges?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Internal erosion or piping of embankment materials or the foundation of the dam can cause sinkholes/depressions. Internal erosion or piping can lead to dam failure.

• Cracks on the embankment slope?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Slope instability and differential settlement between zones or within the embankment may cause longitudinal/transversal cracks.

• Wave damage?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Wave can displace riprap allowing erosion or over-steepening of the bank.

• Animal burrows on the embankment?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Borrowing and other animals can be quite dangerous to the structural integrity and performance of the dam. It is essential that these animals and their activities to be controlled to insure proper functioning of the dam.

• Upstream slope general notes

• Upstream slope photo

  Media

Top of Dam

• Cracks, unusual settlement, low area or sinkholes along the top of dam?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Internal erosion or piping of embankment materials or the foundation of the dam can cause sinkholes/depressions. Internal erosion or piping can lead to dam failure.

• No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Animal burrows?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Borrowing and other animals can be quite dangerous to the structural integrity and performance of the dam. It is essential that these animals and their activities to be controlled to insure proper functioning of the dam.

• Material erosion?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Water from intense rainstorms carries surface materials down the slope and results in continuous troughs, rills, gullies, etc.

• Top width uniform and adequate?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Top general Notes:

• Top Photo

  Media

Downstream Slope

• Slope appears too steep?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Seepage areas or wet areas?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Any changes in conditions at any existing seepage areas or wet areas?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Any evidence of materials being transported by seepage flow (such as discoloured water or sediment deposit)?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Poor vegetative cover?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Grass cover is a very effective and inexpensive means to prevent the erosion of the embankment surfaces.

• Trees and/or brush?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Grass cover should be routinely cut to provide a surface that can be easily inspected. Trees and brush should never be allowed to grow on or very near a dam. The root systems of trees can be a potential hazard by allowing seepage pathways to develop through a dam.

• Sinkholes, depressions, slides, or bulges?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Internal erosion or piping of embankment materials or the foundation of the dam can cause sinkholes/depressions. Internal erosion or piping can lead to dam failure.

• Cracks on the embankment slope?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Slope instability and differential settlement between zones or within the embankment may cause longitudinal/transversal cracks.

• Animal burrows on the embankment?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Borrowing and other animals can be quite dangerous to the structural integrity and performance of the dam. It is essential that these animals and their activities to be controlled to insure proper functioning of the dam.

• Downstream slope general notes

• Downstream slope photos

  Media

• Sketch

  Drawing

Foundation / toe drain

• Uncontrolled vegetation at the dam toe?

  No

  Yes

• Uncontrolled vegetation on and around dams can hinder inspection and lead to serious structural damage, significant maintenance costs, and possible failure. Control of proper vegetation is an important part of dam maintenance.

• Soft or spongy zones?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Soft or spongy zones at the downstream toe of the dam are a sign of uncontrolled seepage which could result in internal erosion or piping. Immediate action is required!

• Boils?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• A boil at the downstream toe of the dam is a sign of uncontrolled seepage which could result in internal erosion or piping. Immediate action is required!

• Toe drain?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Description

• Foundation drain outlet submerged?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Foundation drain functional?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Estimated flow from drains (describe each drain separately):

• Any evidence of materials being transported by seepage flow (such as discoloured water or sediment deposit)?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Seepage observed through the embankment outside of designated drains?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Seepage clear with no signs of ongoing internal erosion.

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Rapid piping or erosion of foundation materials could result in failure of the dam. Immediate action is required !

• Describe location and extent of seepage.

• Same seepage locations as previous ones?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Increase in “wetted area” size?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Increase in seepage quantities or turbidity?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Sketch of seepage location

  Drawing

• General internal drainage and seepage notes:

Inspection or drainage Gallery

• Dam with an inspection/drainage gallery?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Describe

• Gallery in satisfactory conditions?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Sketch

  Drawing

• Gallery general notes

Abutment contacts (Left/Right)

• Left/Right?

  Left

  Right

• Erosion?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Differential movements?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Sinkholes, settlements, depressions, slides, or bulges?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Cracks?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Seepage?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Abutment contacts general notes

Saddle dam

• Brief description

• Saddle dam photo

  Media

• Saddle dam in satisfactory conditions?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Comment on deficiencies

• Approach channel: Instability of the side channel?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Inlet free from debris?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Trees and brush around the inlet?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Type of spillway?

  Free weir

  Gated spillway

  Conduit spillway

• Description

• Weir in satisfactory conditions?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Sign of deterioration?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Sign of inadequacy?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Description

• Civil works in satisfactory conditions?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Gate structural elements in satisfactory conditions?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Gate appears watertight?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Gate regularly operated/tested?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Redundant power supply?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Gate(s) general notes

• Description

• Trash rack in satisfactory conditions?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Inlet in satisfactory conditions?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Conduit appear structurally sound including water tight joints?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Signs of flow beneath or around the conduit?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Outlet in satisfactory conditions

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Conduit spillway general notes

• Chute spillway?

  Yes

  No

• Concrete lined?

  Yes

  No

• Spalling or scaling?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Cracks?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Erosion or cavitation damages?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Exposed reinforcement?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Slab movement/displacement or offset?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Wall movement/displacement or offset?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Leakage?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Sign of deterioration?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Sign of inadequacy?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Chute with a drainage collection system?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Outlet drains visible and clear of obstruction?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Describe the amount of flow from the outlet.

• Signs of flow beneath or around the spillway outside of designated drains?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Energy dissipation structure in satisfactory conditions?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Sign of deterioration?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Sign of inadequacy?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Obstruction?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Covered with debris?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Erosion around the spillway outlet?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Brush around the outlet?

  No

  Yes

  Unknown

  N/A

• Spillway general notes

• Dam with an auxiliary spillway?

  Yes

  No

• Description:

• Spillway free of obstructions?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Spillway free from erosion?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Auxiliary spillway general notes

• Auxiliary spillway photos

  Media

Bottom outlet

• Description

• Civil works in satisfactory conditions?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Gates/valves and hoist equipment in satisfactory conditions?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

Outlet work

• Description

• Civil works in satisfactory conditions?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• HM equipment in satisfactory conditions?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

Monitoring equipment

• Description of surveillance equipement

• Monitoring equipment photos

• Surveillance equipment in satisfactory conditions?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Surveillance equipment reliable?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

Dam surveillance

• Dam surveillance satisfactory?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Surveillance of dam facilities includes both visual inspection and monitoring of any installed instrumentation. The goal of surveillance is to identify deviations in performance conditions so that corrective or risk mitigation measures can be implemented before adverse consequence results.

• In a dam monitoring system, the management of data, including all procedures beginning with the data acquisition and ending in the data analysis, interpretation and reporting, is accomplished in two main steps:
  1) data processing (set of operations including the data checking, reducing and storage, and the execution of numerical and graphical outputs)
  2) the subsequent analysis and interpretation of the dam behavior and including also the reporting of the corresponding results.

• Regular dam inspection?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Correct monitoring data processing?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Systematic analysis and interpretation of the readings?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Surveillance general notes

• Dam correctly operated and maintained ?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Staff with required knowledge, skills and training?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• O&M staff general notes

• Satisfactory DSMS in place?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• A DSMS, incorporating policies, responsibilities, plans and procedures, documentation, training, and review and correction of deficiencies and nonconformances, must be in place to ensure operational availability, safe operation and integrity of the dam.
  A critical part of the DSMS is the development, implementation, and control of procedures for the operation and maintenance (O&M plan) and surveillance (instrumentation plan) of the facility, taking into account public safety and security (Emergency preparedness plan). The procedures and practices should be reviewed regularly to ensure that the information is up to date.
  

• Satisfactory documents management process?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Documentation should be kept up to date so that there is a permanent record of (i) the design, construction, operation, and performance of the dam, and (ii) the management of its safety.

• Instrumentation Plan compliant with WB requirements?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• O&M Plan compliant with WB requirements?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• EPP compliant with WB requirements?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• Periodic Dam Safety Review?

  Yes

  No

  Unknown

  N/A

• List

Perform the following ongoing maintenance:

• Exercise and perform required maintenance

  Perform on an ongoing basis.

  Needs immediate attention.

  Not required.

• Clean vegetation on and close to the dam

  Perform on an ongoing basis.

  Needs immediate attention.

  Not required.

• Remove debris from spillway inlet.

  Perform on an ongoing basis.

  Needs immediate attention.

  Not required.

• Maintain crest design elevation

  Perform on an ongoing basis.

  Needs immediate attention.

  Not required.

• Other (see notes):

• Notes

Monitor the following items that were detailed in previous sections of the report. Report any significant changes to the Dam safety specialist.

• Seepage

  Select Nothing noted at this time. Monitor and report changes to Dam safety specialist

  • Nothing noted at this time.
  • Monitor and report changes to Dam safety specialist

• Minor erosion

  Select Nothing noted at this time. Monitor and report changes to Dam safety specialist

  • Nothing noted at this time.
  • Monitor and report changes to Dam safety specialist

• Minor embankment depressions or slides

  Select Nothing noted at this time. Monitor and report changes to Dam safety specialist

  • Nothing noted at this time.
  • Monitor and report changes to Dam safety specialist

• Other (see notes):

• Notes

The following items need to be properly repaired/rectified:

• Clear trees and brush from embankment and spillway areas

  Perform on an ongoing basis.

  Needs immediate attention.

  Not required.

• Backfill rodent burrows and initiate rodent control program

  Perform on an ongoing basis.

  Needs immediate attention.

  Not required.

• Repair and stabilize eroded areas

  Perform on an ongoing basis.

  Needs immediate attention.

  Not required.

• Clean or repair drainage system

  Perform on an ongoing basis.

  Needs immediate attention.

  Not required.

• Other (see notes):

• Notes

Employ an engineer/contractor experienced in design and construction of dams to:

• Perform a geotechnical evaluation to determine cause of slides, depressions and/or seepage.

  Immediately

  In the next 1-2 years.

  In the next 5 years.

  Not required.

• Update the hydrological study

  Immediately

  In the next 1-2 years.

  In the next 5 years.

  Not required.

• Update the structural study, incl seismic load

  Immediately

  In the next 1-2 years.

  In the next 5 years.

  Not required.

• Develop or update the dam safety plans (instrumentation, O&M and EPP)

  Immediately

  In the next 1-2 years.

  In the next 5 years.

  Not required.

• Repair or/and update surveillance equipement

  Immediately

  In the next 1-2 years.

  In the next 5 years.

  Not required.

• Evaluate and repair spillway structures

  Immediately

  In the next 1-2 years.

  In the next 5 years.

  Not required.

• Develop plans and specifications for proper repair of the dam.

  Immediately

  In the next 1-2 years.

  In the next 5 years.

  Not required.

• Instruct and train the staff in charge of O&M

  Immediately

  In the next 1-2 years.

  In the next 5 years.

  Not required.

• Develop and implement a Dam Safety Management System

  Immediately

  In the next 1-2 years.

  In the next 5 years.

  Not required.

• Other (see notes):

• Notes

• SATISFACTORY
  No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies recognized. Safe performance is expected under all anticipated loading conditions, including such events as infrequent hydrologic and/or seismic events.
  
  FAIR
  No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal loading conditions. Infrequent hydrologic and/or seismic events would probably result in a dam safety deficiency.
  
  POOR
  A potential dam safety deficiency is clearly recognized for normal loading conditions. Immediate actions to resolve the deficiency are recommended; reservoir restrictions may be necessary until problem resolution.
  
  UNSATISFACTORY
  A dam safety deficiency exists for normal conditions. Immediate remedial action is required for problem resolution.
  

• Overall Rating of Dam Condition

  Satisfactory

  Fair

  Poor

  Unsatisfactory

• General Notes