private dam construction 3

[aerospaced]

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.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

You can download "Design of Small Dams" (free .pdf) from the "Engineering Manuals" section at this link

http://www.usbr.gov/pmts/hydraulics_lab/pubs/index.cfm

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

 

[francesca]

Make sure you don't violate the Safe Dams Act. Private or not, you have to comply. You're also obligated not to alter flow rates (increase or decrease) on up- and downstream properties, and of course you can't alter waters of the state (streams that show up on USGS topo maps) without permission. Nine square miles is enormous, when you consider that detention basins and farm dams (much smaller than an acre) are "small dams," though I'm not familiar with the publication above and, while it may apply, it's not something an (appropriately) experienced PE would want to try.

 

[kenvlach]

Buy liability insurance, hire lobbyists, get yourself elected Senator, make friends with the governor, newspaper editor & electronic media journalists, donate to both the Dems. & Reps., join the Alabama Rivers Alliance, set up some pseudo or real environmental & public interest groups to sway public opinion, host some really persuasive webpages, etc. Make sure to generate hydroelectric & call yourself 'green,' provide public access for boating, fishing, picnicing, swimming, protect against flooding, provide irrigation water, recharge aquifers, etc.

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

http://www.access.gpo.gov/uscode/title33/title33.html

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.

 

[aerospaced]

This is a several year project. I believe it will be possible without becoming a senator.

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.

 

[SlideRuleEra]

In the US Bureau of Reclamation book "Design of Small Dams", a small dam is defined as an earthen dam "with height above streambed not exceeding 50 feet" or a concrete dam not exceeding 20 feet. (See page xi)

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.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

 

[DaveVikingPE]

To echo SlideRuleEra... you are INSANE not to hire a team of experienced dam engineers ("those dam engineers again...") and read "Design of Small Dams." It's got excellent charts, some design examples, etc. that you need. I recommend checking out the Association of State Dam Safety Officials

http://www.damsafety.org/

and see who's out there doing what. They will even assist you (for a fee, of course) in the permitting.

 

[kenvlach]

Following up on DaveVikingPE's suggestion, hire a retired inspector as a consultant or asst. project manager. Lots of insights & insider connections.

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://www.damsafety.org/layout/subsection.aspx?groupid=1&contentid=208

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.

 

[BigH]

Might, too, wish to check out Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). For any hydro-dam work that you might be thinking of - do hire a proper design team. This also applies to any small water dam too.

http://www.ferc.gov/industries/hydropower/safety/part12-wkshp/pm-init.asp

 

[aerospaced]

guys, maybe i've been misleading.

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

 

[cvg]

you should be aware of one more process that will affect your dam project - you will require a permit from your local dam safety agency. Assuming that you are in the US, this will be a state agency. I would recommend that you contact them, as they will be more than happy to help you. I have found that getting them involved up front helps later on down the line. You can try the following link to the Assoc. of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) which also has links to each state agency.

http://www.damsafety.org/

 

[RDK]

Engineers with salaries always escalating
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

http://www.kitsonengineering.com

 

[maisan]

Maisan from Deutschland.IMPORTANT THINGS FOR DAM

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: