Safety of Dams
The Rosebud Sioux
Tribe Safety of Dams Program is administered as a cooperative effort
between the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Office of Water Resources, Bureau
of Indian Affairs (BIA), Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and various other persons, businesses, agencies,
and other interests that are involved in the design, construction, and
operation of dams. Dams must be operated
and maintained in a safe manner, ensured through inspections for safety
deficiencies, analyses utilizing current technologies and designs, and
corrective actions if needed based on current engineering practices. In
addition, future evaluations should include assessments of benefits
foregone with the loss of a dam. For example, a failed dam can no longer
provide needed fish and wildlife benefits.
Dams must be operated and maintained in a safe manner, ensured through inspections for safety deficiencies, analyses utilizing current technologies and designs, and corrective actions if needed based on current engineering practices. In addition, future evaluations should include assessments of benefits foregone with the loss of a dam. For example, a failed dam can no longer provide needed fish and wildlife benefits.
The primary emphasis of the Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams (SEED) program is to perform site evaluations and to identify potential safety deficiencies on Reclamation and other Interior bureaus' dams. The basic objective is to quickly identify dams which pose an increased threat to the public, and to quickly complete the related analyses in order to expedite corrective action decisions and safeguard the public and associated resources. The Safety of Dams (SOD) program focuses on evaluating and implementing actions to resolve safety concerns at Reclamation dams. Under this program, Reclamation will complete studies and identify and accomplish needed corrective action on area tribal dams. The selected course of action relies on assessments of risks and liabilities with environmental and public involvement input to the decision making process.
To foster
cooperation, communication between these parties must be effective and
efficient. Communication is the key to the Safety of Dams Program.
Design drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, inspection reports,
emergency action plans, and other documents are simply methods of
communicating important information directly related to the safe design,
construction, and operation of dams. Because dams are typically complex,
unique, engineered structures with a long service life, the specific
nature of this communication will be similarly complex and unique, and
will occur during a long period of time. By anticipating the scope of
the communication, all of the entities involved will better understand
the level of commitment necessary to accomplish the objectives of a
particular project. Safe dams are the ultimate objectives of the Rosebud
Sioux Tribe. If cooperative relationships can be established between all
of the parties involved, the entire community will benefit.
For more information please contact Mr. John Whiting at (605) 747-2559