British Columbia Dam Safety Regulation

Contents
	1	Definitions
	2	Application
	3	Operation and maintenance of a dam
	4	Alteration of a dam
	5	Inspection
	6	Reporting
	7	Dam safety review
	8	Hazardous conditions at a dam
	9	Suspension of normal operation or removal of a dam
	10	Information and evaluation
	11	Instrumentation
	12	Expert opinion
Schedule 1
Schedule 2

Definitions

1 In this regulation:

"Act" means the Water Act;

"dam" means

(a) a barrier constructed across a stream, or

(b) a barrier constructed off-stream and supplied by diversion of water from a stream,

for the purpose of enabling the storage or diversion of water, and includes all works which are incidental to or necessary for the barrier;

"dam owner" means, with respect to a dam, any or all of the following:

(a) the person who holds the current licence or is required to hold a licence for the dam;

(b) the person who last held a licence for the dam, including a licence that has been suspended, cancelled, abandoned or terminated;

(c) if there is no person to whom paragraph (a) or (b) applies, the owner of the land on which the dam is located or the person who had the dam constructed;

"dam safety officer" means an engineer or officer who is designated in writing by the comptroller as a dam safety officer;

"emergency preparedness plan" means a plan prepared by a dam owner under section 3 (2) (a) that describes the actions the dam owner proposes to take in the event of an emergency at a dam;

"height" means the vertical distance to the top (crest) of a dam measured,

(a) in the case of a dam across a stream, from the natural bed of the stream at the downstream outside limit of the dam, or

(b) in the case of a dam that is not across a stream, from the lowest elevation at the outside limit of the dam;

"instrumentation" means, but is not limited to, survey monuments and stations, inclinometers, extensometers, piezometers or measuring weirs;

"maintain" or maintenance means the performance of those tasks required to keep the dam in good operating condition;

"operation, maintenance and surveillance manual" means a manual prepared by a dam owner under section 3 (2) (b) that describes the dam owner's operation, maintenance and surveillance procedures for the dam;

"professional engineer" means a person registered, and in good standing, as a professional engineer under the Engineers and Geoscientists Act;

"volume of water" means the total storage volume of the reservoir at full supply level measured in accordance with one of the following:

(a) between the natural bed of the stream and the spillway crest;

(b) between the upstream outside limit of the dam and the spillway crest;

(c) if a low level outlet is excavated to an elevation lower than the general foundation of the dam, between the bottom of that outlet and the spillway crest.

Application

2 (1) This regulation applies to all of the following:

(a) a dam 1 metre or more in height that is capable of impounding a volume of water greater than 1 000 000 m3;

(b) a dam 2.5 metres or more in height that is capable of impounding a volume of water greater than 30 000 m3;

(d) a dam that does not meet the criteria under paragraph (a), (b) or (c) but has a downstream consequence classification under Schedule 1 of low, high or very high.

(2) This regulation does not relieve a dam owner from any other requirements that may be imposed under the Act, the Water Regulation or any other applicable enactment.

Operation and maintenance of a dam

3 (1) A dam owner must operate and maintain a dam in accordance with all of the following:

(a) this regulation;

(b) any applicable licence or approval;

(d) the emergency preparedness plan that has been prepared and accepted in accordance with subsection (2) (a);

(e) the operation, maintenance and surveillance manual that has been prepared and accepted in accordance with subsection (2) (b).

(2) A dam owner must, in the form and manner and within the time period specified by the comptroller or regional water manager, prepare and submit to a dam safety officer, for acceptance by the dam safety officer, the following:

(a) if the downstream consequence classification under Schedule 1 is high or very high, an emergency preparedness plan;

(b) if the downstream consequence classification under Schedule 1 is low, high or very high, an operation, maintenance and surveillance manual.

(3) Subsection (2) applies whether or not there is a term or condition in an approval granted or licence issued that requires the preparation of such a plan or manual for the dam.

(4) A dam owner must ensure that the dam is adequately safeguarded to prevent unauthorized operation of the dam by someone other than the dam owner or an agent of the dam owner.

Alteration of a dam

4 (1) Any alteration, improvement or replacement to all or any part of a dam must be authorized by an approval, licence or order.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to an alteration, improvement or replacement for the purpose of

(a) maintaining the dam as authorized under section 3, or

(b) addressing a hazardous condition under section 8.

(3) A dam owner must submit to a dam safety officer, on completion of the alteration, improvement or replacement, a report on the work and the manner in which any such alteration, improvement or replacement to all or any part of the dam was performed.

Inspection

5 A dam owner must do all of the following:

(a) carry out an inspection of a dam on the frequency applicable to the downstream consequence classification for the dam as set out in Schedule 2 in order to assess the condition of the dam during the construction, operation or alteration of the dam;

(b) record the results of every inspection performed under paragraph (a);

(c) repair any safety hazard revealed by an inspection, if authorized to do so by an approval, licence or order or as authorized under this regulation.

Reporting

6 (1) A dam owner must, when an inspection is carried out under section 5 or when any other inspection is carried out with respect to a dam,

(a) submit to a dam safety officer, in the form and manner and within the time period specified by the dam safety officer,

(i) the record of inspection required by section 5 (b), and

(ii) the results and analysis of any test or measurement taken including, but not limited to,

(A) instrumentation readings and analysis,

(B) visual records or observations,

(D) soil, aggregate and concrete test results, and

(E) any other test results, and

(b) promptly submit to a dam safety officer the record of inspection required by section 5 (b) if the inspection reveals a potential safety hazard.

(2) A dam owner must submit to a dam safety officer, if requested by the dam safety officer, the original or clear copies of the following documentation required for the design, construction or alteration of the dam:

(a) all design notes, drawings and specifications;

(b) hydraulic, hydrologic, geological and geotechnical data;

Dam safety review

7 (1) If required by Schedule 2, a dam owner must have a professional engineer, experienced in dam safety analysis, do a dam safety review and prepare, in the form and manner and within the time period specified by the comptroller or regional water manager, a dam safety report.

(2) The dam owner must submit to a dam safety officer a copy of the dam safety report prepared by the professional engineer who carried out the dam safety review under subsection (1).

Hazardous conditions at a dam

8 If conditions exist which are or are likely to be hazardous to a dam, or if conditions may reasonably be anticipated to cause a dam, or any part of a dam, or any operation or action at or in connection with a dam, to be or become potentially hazardous to public safety, the infrastructure or works, other property or the environment, a dam owner must promptly do all of the following:

(a) if an emergency preparedness plan exists, modify the operation of the dam, or any part of the dam, in accordance with the emergency preparedness plan;

(b) if an emergency preparedness plan does not exist, operate the dam in a manner, and initiate any remedial actions, that will

(i) safeguard the public,

(ii) minimize damage to the infrastructure or works or to other property, including that not owned by the dam owner, and

(iii) minimize damage to the environment;

(d) notify a dam safety officer, or the comptroller or regional water manager, of

(i) the nature of the existing or anticipated conditions,

(ii) all things done by the dam owner to rectify the conditions, and

(iii) the time and exact nature of any information or warning of existing or anticipated conditions issued to any person under this section;

(e) inform local authorities, and persons who may be in immediate danger from the potential failure of the dam, of the nature of the existing or anticipated conditions and, if necessary, advise those persons who may be in immediate danger to vacate and remove any property from the endangered area;

(f) modify the operation of the dam to minimize or prevent damage which may be caused by the failure of the dam, and undertake any other hazard response activity required by a dam safety officer or engineer or by the comptroller or regional water manager.

Suspension of normal operation or removal of a dam

9 (1) A dam owner must give the comptroller or regional water manager at least 60 days written notice before undertaking any of the following activities:

(a) removing all or a significant part of a dam;

(b) decommissioning or abandoning a dam;

(2) The dam owner must prepare, and submit to a dam safety officer for approval,

(a) a plan respecting an activity under subsection (1) (a) or (b), or

(b) if required by the dam safety officer, a plan respecting an activity under subsection (1) (c).

(3) The dam owner must, at least 14 days before the date on which the work is expected to commence, notify a dam safety officer before commencing any work under the approved plan.

(4) The dam owner must submit to a dam safety officer, on the completion of the work performed under the approved plan, a report on the work and the manner in which it was performed.

(5) The dam owner must undertake any further actions that the comptroller or regional water manager requires to alleviate any adverse consequences to any person, the infrastructure or works, other property or the environment that may be affected by any work performed on the dam.

(6) An approval under subsection (2) respecting the decommissioning of a dam is subject to the Environmental Assessment Act and to approvals, if any, required under that Act.

Information and evaluation

10 (1) A dam owner must, if requested by a dam safety officer, provide the following information in order to evaluate the condition or hazard potential of a dam:

(a) information with respect to the dam including, but not limited to,

(i) foundation investigation results,

(ii) design details and as-built plans,

(iii) construction records,

(iv) operation manuals,

(v) records of instrumentation,

(vi) inspection reports,

(vii) safety reports, and

(viii) inundation studies and emergency preparedness plans;

(b) information with respect to the nature of the land and the stream, and the use of the land and the stream, downstream from or adjacent to the dam or reservoir, including the hydraulic, hydrologic, geological and geotechnical characteristics and the uses of the land and stream;

(2) The information requested under subsection (1) must be submitted to a dam safety officer, in the form and manner and within the time period specified by the comptroller or regional water manager.

(3) The dam owner must conduct any inspection, investigation, survey or test that is necessary to provide the information required by subsection (1).

Instrumentation

11 A dam owner must do all of the following:

(a) install any instrumentation necessary to adequately monitor the performance of a dam;

(b) monitor, maintain or replace instrumentation installed at a dam to ensure continuity of readings;

(c) submit instrumentation readings and evaluations to a dam safety officer, in the form and manner and within the time period specified by the dam safety officer;

(d) submit, to a dam safety officer for approval by the dam safety officer,

(i) notice of any planned modifications to, changes to or removal of the instrumentation at least 60 days before the proposed modification, change or removal, or

(ii) an annual plan outlining intended changes to the instrumentation.

Expert opinion

12 (1) If, based on information submitted in respect of a dam or related works, the comptroller or regional water manager considers that a question has arisen as to what is proper practice for resolving an issue involving a dam or related works, the comptroller or regional water manager may require a dam owner to retain an expert, satisfactory to the comptroller or regional water manager, with qualifications and experience as follows:

(a) in the case of a dam, in dam design, construction and analysis;

(b) in the case of related works, in hydraulic, hydrological, geological, geotechnical, mechanical or structural engineering or other appropriate disciplines.

(2) The expert retained under subsection (1) must provide a report to the comptroller or regional water manager on the issue.

Rating	Loss of Life	Economic and Social Loss	Environmental and Cultural Losses
VERY HIGH	Large potential for multiple loss of life involving residents and working, travelling and/or recreating public. Development within inundation area (the area that could be flooded if the dam fails) typically includes communities, extensive commercial and work areas, main highways, railways, and locations of concentrated recreational activity. Estimated fatalities could exceed 100.	Very high economic losses affecting infrastructure, public and commercial facilities in and beyond inundation area. Typically includes destruction of or extensive damage to large residential areas, concentrated commercial land uses, highways, railways, power lines, pipelines and other utilities. Estimated direct and indirect (interruption of service) costs could exceed $100 million.	Loss or significant deterioration of nationally or provincially important fisheries habitat (including water quality), wildlife habitat, rare and/or endangered species, unique landscapes or sites of cultural significance. Feasibility and/or practicality of restoration and/or compensation is low.
HIGH	Some potential for multiple loss of life involving residents, and working, travelling and/or recreating public. Development within inundation area typically includes highways and railways, commercial and work areas, locations of concentrated recreational activity and scattered residences. Estimated fatalities less than 100.	Substantial economic losses affecting infrastructure, public and commercial facilities in and beyond inundation area. Typically includes destruction of or extensive damage to concentrated commercial land uses, highways, railways, power lines, pipelines and other utilities. Scattered residences may be destroyed or severely damaged. Estimated direct and indirect (interruption of service) costs could exceed $1 million.	Loss or significant deterioration of nationally or provincially important fisheries habitat (including water quality), wildlife habitat, rare and/or endangered species, unique landscapes or sites of cultural significance. Feasibility and practicality of restoration and/or compensation is high.
LOW	Low potential for multiple loss of life. Inundation area is typically undeveloped except for minor roads, temporarily inhabited or non- residential farms and rural activities. There must be a reliable element of natural warning if larger development exists.	Low economic losses to limited infrastructure, public and commercial activities. Estimated direct and indirect (interruption of service) costs could exceed $100 000.	Loss or significant deterioration of regionally important fisheries habitat (including water quality), wildlife habitat, rare and endangered species, unique landscapes or sites of cultural significance. Feasibility and practicality of restoration and/or compensation is high. Includes situations where recovery would occur with time without restoration.
VERY LOW	Minimal potential for any loss of life. The inundation area is typically undeveloped.	Minimal economic losses typically limited to owner's property not to exceed $100 000. Virtually no potential exists for future development of other land uses within the foreseeable future.	No significant loss or deterioration of fisheries habitat, wildlife habitat, rare or endangered species, unique landscapes or sites of cultural significance.

Item	Very High Consequence	High Consequence	Low Consequence	Very Low Consequence
Site Surveillance (a)	WEEKLY	WEEKLY	MONTHLY	QUARTERLY
Formal Inspection (b)	SEMI- ANNUALLY	SEMI- ANNUALLY or ANNUALLY	ANNUALLY	ANNUALLY
Instrumentation	AS PER OMS * MANUAL	AS PER OMS * MANUAL	AS PER OMS * MANUAL	N/A
Test Operation of Outlet Facilities, Spillway Gates and other Mechanical Components	ANNUALLY	ANNUALLY	ANNUALLY	ANNUALLY
Emergency Preparedness Plan	UPDATE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORY SEMI- ANNUALLY	UPDATE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORY SEMI- ANNUALLY	UPDATE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORY ANNUALLY	N/A
Operation, Maintenance & Surveillance Plan	REVIEW EVERY 7 - 10 YEARS	REVIEW EVERY 10 YEARS	REVIEW EVERY 10 YEARS	REVIEW EVERY 10 YEARS
Dam Safety Review (c)	EVERY 7-10 YEARS (d)	EVERY 10 YEARS (d)	(d)	(d)

(a) Site surveillance may consist of visual inspections and/or monitoring of automated data acquisition systems. Reduced frequencies of visual inspections may be determined by seasonal conditions.

(b) Formal Inspections are intended as more thorough inspections performed by the appropriate representative of the owner responsible for safety surveillance.

(c) A Dam Safety Review involves collection of all available dam records, field inspections, detailed investigations and possibly laboratory testing. It then proceeds with a check of structural stability and operational safety of the dam, beginning with a reappraisal of basic features and assumptions. The level of detail required in a Dam Safety Review should be commensurate with the importance and complexity of the dam, as well as the consequences of failure.

(d) Dam owners must conduct an annual review of conditions downstream of their dam and notify a dam safety officer if the downstream consequence classification level increases. The downstream consequence classification guide is shown in Schedule 1.

[Provisions of the Water Act, R.S.B.C. 1996, c. 483, relevant to the enactment of this regulation: section 46 (1) and (2) (d), (f), (h) and (i)]