UNDERWATER INVESTIGATION AND THE NEW DAM SAFETY CODE IN QUEBEC

摘要

This paper will highlight the different types of survey and inspection procedures thatnow can be achieved underwater and the different structures to which they can beapplied. We will also present cases of intervention on both Canadian and USinstallations.Since the major flood that occurred in the Saguenay Region in the Province of Quebecin July 1996, a new law that oversees the establishment and operation of hydraulicsinstallation has been presented at the National Assembly.More specifically at the operation level, it is clear that the level and recurrence of floodand the evacuation capacity will be the major parameters around which all discussionsand argumentation will take place (point #1, article 36, Chap. V). Section III, SafetyRegulations, raises also no doubt in terms of the operator and owner responsibility inrelation to the monitoring and maintenance of their site and related equipment.In this context, an adequate inspection and technical survey program of both thesubmerged and surface portion of the structures is imperative and its application byprofessionals is even more of a prime necessity.