private dam construction
private dam construction
(OP)
Can anyone give me an outline of the preliminary steps that need to be taken prior to construction of a private dam ? This is something that is out of my field of study.
This is a venture involving private landowners, including myself. I'm in the research phase of the project right now: land elevations, soil types, water evaporation, etc...
The end result we want to achieve is to flood roughly a 9 square mile area.
Any information would be helpful.
This is a venture involving private landowners, including myself. I'm in the research phase of the project right now: land elevations, soil types, water evaporation, etc...
The end result we want to achieve is to flood roughly a 9 square mile area.
Any information would be helpful.





RE: private dam construction
http
www.SlideRuleEra.net
RE: private dam construction
RE: private dam construction
Physical Cost Estimates & Funding.
Environmental Impact Statement.
Navigable Waters (can float a canoe) alterations require US Army Corps of Engineers permission per TITLE 33--NAVIGATION AND NAVIGABLE WATERS htt
Wetlands alteration require US Army Corps of Engineers permission per Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (usually state, too)http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/facts/fact12.html
But note: "Under the current permitting system, the US Army Corps of Engineers has the primary responsibility for issuing permits to allow filling of wetlands, dredging of rivers, and building of new dams. However, a sister federal agency, the US Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to veto the Corps permit decisions."
http://www.wildlaw.org/newsletters/May2000.htm
Make sure you clean up all potential sources of inorganic and organic pollution before flooding, to protect the water quality. The Clean Water Act (CWA), formerly known as the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, intended to ". . .restore and maintain the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the Nation's waters" (Section 101).
http://www.eh.doe.gov/oepa/laws/cwa.html
"Alabama has more species of fish than any other state in the nation" so make sure to provide good habitat for all of them!
Relocate everybody downstream -- buy them mansions on higher ground.
This is a multi-year political process.
RE: private dam construction
As for the Army Corps of Engineers, they are underworked and over payed, in my opinion. I've spoken with them a couple of times so far. It's hard to get the ball rolling with those guys.
This my not even be a feasible idea. There are people willing to invest in this idea however. My first thought is to put together a report with all relevant information.
The idea is not only to flood this land but to build homes around it also. The majority of this land is held by just a couple people. One of them being a contractor.
Thanks for all the information and links guys.
RE: private dam construction
Actually the preface to this third edition states "the title, Design of Small Dams, has been retained even though some of the information in the third edition relates to large dams." (Se page v)
The 904 pages contain enough detailed information to convince virtually anyone that design of a "real" dam (not a detention basin or farm pond) is a major, multi-discipline project.
www.SlideRuleEra.net
RE: private dam construction
RE: private dam construction
Maybe a bit easier in Alabama than many other states:
"Alabama Dam Safety (Alabama currently has no dam safety legislation or formal dam safety program.)"
http:
You will need an a priori calculation of water quality, and it generally helps to have a sand & gravel bottom.
For best water quality, scrape away the topsoil with earthmovers (donate to neighboring farmers at hauling cost) and log off any forests. This will help avoid nutrient rich, oxygen-depleted water. And of course, relocate any septic systems as far away as feasible.
RE: private dam construction
htt
RE: private dam construction
The only thing I want to do is to prove to myself that this idea could become reality. I'm not going to spend probably 10s of thousands on surveryors, contractors, etc... to tell me it couldn't happen.
Once I've gotten answers to all my questions, proving to myself that it could be done, i'll then proceed further with professionals.
I prefer to have some knowledge of what goes into something like this rather than taking other people's word for it. We're all in the same profession, i'm sure you feel the same way.
You guys have really put forth a lot of useful information for a bunch of know-it-all engineers :)
thanks
RE: private dam construction
http://www.damsafety.org/
RE: private dam construction
Doing what the beavers do with hardly any training.
Where is the dam located?
How big is it?
What purpose is it? Power generation. flood control, irrigation, recreation, all of these or some of these?
What type of construction will it be?
What is the drainage basin hydrology? How big a spillway will there be?
What about riparian rights?
What about fish ladders and other environmental mitigation issues?
What about settlement of silt in the reservoir and its impact on storage capacity?
What do you mean by private ownership? IS it all on private land or is this to be a private owned dam on public land?
Federal, state/provincial or local jurisdiction?
These are simply some of the necessary questions before the engineering of the actual dam can begin.
Hire yourself a team of knowledgeable experienced dam builders before you get in too much trouble.
Rick Kitson MBA P.Eng
Construction Project Management
From conception to completion
www.kitsonengineering.com
RE: private dam construction
There are very important things ,you must do it .
1.How many cubic meter you will store in this dam.
2.what is the area for your Dam.
3.after that you will find the height or the depth of the water in peak piont ,maximum demand.
4.The important thing is the permebility of the soil ,and the tape of the soil if the percent of the sand in the soil is low that is ok and when the percent of sand is high it is best to forget this project .you will get result when you make labrotarytest for the soil.
thanks: