Introduction to Inspecting Dams for Owners and Operators

This seminar provides an introduction to inspecting and evaluating dams. The target audience is dam owners and personnel responsible for the operation and maintenance of dams. The principles, concepts and procedures taught are applicable to any dam owner or organization conducting dam inspections and evaluating their compliance with current design and maintenance standards. Participants will be familiarized with a variety of dam types and their appurtenances, instructed in the function of typical dam features, and become aware of common dam failure modes and the conditions that can lead to these failure modes. The importance of performing dam inspections will be discussed along with what to look for in order to be able to identify potential deficiencies before they become a problem. Acceptable standards for the condition and operation and maintenance of dams will be presented and their significance will be reinforced with examples from recent dam failures. 

Presented by Paul G. Schweiger, P.E., Vice President, Gannett Fleming, Inc.