PROACTIVE OWNERSHIP OF THE PEDLAR DAM LEADS TO TIMELY AND COST-EFFICIENT SOLUTIONS WITH CHANGING REGULATIONS

摘要

Significant amendments to the Virginia dam safety regulations, enacted September 2008,include safety standards similar to the federal standards and the standards of many otherstates. Changes to the dam safety regulations include, but are not limited to:1 reclassifying dams as high, significant or low hazard potential, instead of I through IV2 increased spillway design flood (SDF) criteria3 more rigorous certification renewal requirements4 dam break inundation zone mapping5 incorporation of the inundation zone maps into local zoning and land use plans6 stronger Emergency Action Plans and annual drills with local emergency responders7 more rigorous construction/alterations permit process8 additional administrative feesThe Pedlar Dam is owned by the City of Lynchburg, with a regular Operations andMaintenance certificate from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation(DCR), Dam Safety Group, as a Class II (or significant hazard), medium size dam. Inpreparation for certificate renewal, engineering analyses were performed to determine theproper hazard classification, ability of the dam to withstand the associated SDF, and damalterations that would be needed to meet the new requirements.The City’s Utilities Department is proposing dam alterations in the City’s CapitalImprovement Plan. These alterations would include general concrete repair, dredgingand removal of sediment and debris from inside and outside the intake tower, repair ofgates, addition of trash racks, and the above improvements required to meet the amendeddam safety regulations. It is anticipated that the City will apply for an Alterations Permitby submitting a design report in accordance with the regulations.