Cindy Higgins
Dam Safety Information
What’s Getting the Message Out in Kansas
CONTENTS
Information building blocks
3
The goal of the dam safety program is to improve
Informational exhibits 8
awareness of dam safety
Posters 9
to targeted audiences in
Presentations 12
Kansas. Specific objectives
Indirect outreach 12
awareness with targeted
include raising program
audiences, providing in-
Dam safety seminars 13 Symposia 21 Dam Safety Conference 22
formation about program
Information building blocks
activities, and preparing stakeholders for a dam failure incident.
In-house publications 25 Website 27 Social media 30 Online instruction 34 Outside media 38 Press releases 39 External database submissions 40
Written by Cindy Higgins. September 2013. Note: FEMA funded the information coordinator position in 2003. The initial coordinator focused on the dam safety conference, dam safety workshops, and trade show booths. In 2010 with the advent of the current coordinator, the focus shifted from dam safety workshops to more online targeted publications, visual social media, and collaborations as well as dam importance to state and enviromental awareness,
Target audiences primarily Key messages The Kansas Dam Safety Program’ goals are to prevent loss of life and minimize property damage due to manmade changes in streams and floodplains
are dam owners, engineers,
In 2013, 1/3 of Kansas dams were more than 50 years old; by 2013, 2/3 will be more than 50 years old.
of elected officials, munici-
Relevant legislation KSA 82a-301 Obstructions in Streams (1929) KSA 24-1201 Watershed Districts (1953) National Dam Safety Program founded 1996
and emergency officials; other audiences comprise
pality professionals, general public, and media. In the past, engineering students have been an unsuccessful target audience. Strategies
Permit requirements Construction, modification or repair of a dam
include developing and
Definition A dam is defined in Kansas law as an impoundment with a height of 25 feet or more in height, or six feet or more in height with the ability to store 50 acre-feet or more of water at the auxilliary spillway elevation.
activities and multimedia
implementing outreach
materials for selected audiences.
Because graphics expedite comprehension and improve retention, effort has been ongoing to acquire images relating to Kansas dams such as charts, graphs, photographs, and other illustrations for increased communication. For example, photographs of dam safety staff in the field have been useful for communication and “put a face with a name” to encourage accessibility. Attractive Kansas dams encourage a positive infrastructure perception, while potential dam safety issues visual examples illustrate safety messages. Visual assets as well as short publications can be and have been used as building blocks for larger publications as well as ready-to-go presentation aids.
Division of Water Resources dam safety staff in the field
Research continually finds that visual communication affects what people do and feel. In fact, one study showed 93% of
Kansas examples of dam safety concerns
communication is nonverbal.
Staff photos increase accessibility 3M Corporation research concluded that individuals process visuals 60,000 times faster than text because the human brain deciphers image elements simultaneously and stores images in long-term memory, while humans decode language linearly and store it primarily in 7-bit information sequences in short-term memory. Studies show, too, humans are wired to favor images of open landscapes, which evoke an instant sense of well-being, thus, a grassy expanse on a dam elicits positive reception.
As part of a gubernatorial/legislative de-regulation agenda, 2013 legislation to re-define dams was proposed and approved. The state dam safety program had proposed alternate legislation supported by engineering groups with supporting facts and figures to no avail. The current bill changed the definition of ‘dam’ to measure the 50 acre-ft at the emergency spillway, which averages 77 acrefeet at top of dam. This change removes 1,567 existing dams from jurisdiction. The current bill also exempts any Hazard Class A dam less than 30 feet high at the top of dam and 125 acre-feet at the emergency spillway, removing 2,298 existing dams from jurisdiction and the number of regulated dams by 62%. Thus, in 2013 facts, figures, and charts, e.g., state-by-state dam size definitions, did not influence legislative decision making. Nor did information on the legislative change regarding loss of national grant funding.
In response, recent outreach focus has been on preparing materials for the public and legislators to understand the history of dams in Kansas and their uses to increase the value of dams and the impact of these quiet engineering triumphs. Addressed in a lengthy report and fact sheet are the importance of dams to Kansas industry, farmers, transportation, green energy, public water supply, and flood control. For example, the fact sheet begins: “Settlers arriving in what was to be Kansas sought water to master for personal use and economic development. Through construction of dams, Kansans could stockpile needed water to produce renewable energy and irrigate crops. Later Kansas dams would change in construction based on use and legislation and be built to supplement water supply, control flooding, easier navigate rivers, stabilize soil to control erosion, enjoy reservoirs’ recreational aspects, control erosion, reduce reservoir sedimentation, retain wastes, and offer other uses.”
Short staff features and stories of individual Kansas dams to impart information in a memorable form.
Illegal
Dam Hunting Sherry Durst hunts outlaw dams. They and their owners aren’t fugitives because the owners probably don’t know that the Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture, the state agency charged with registering and inspecting dams, has jurisdiction over any dam 25 feet high or six feet high that can impound 50 or more acre-feet of water at its crest. And, under Kansas law, it is unlawful to construct a dam without permission from DWR. As stated in KSA 82a-301a, DWR supervises the construction, modification, operation, and maintenance of dams. Since Durst, a DWR engineer, started her search for dams that meet state jurisdictional thresholds, she’s made final determinations on numerous water bodies that now have dam permits issued by DWR. Durst began investigating illegal dams after a previous study — An Inventory of Dams for Kansas Using Remotely Sensed Satellite Imagery — done by Kansas Applied Remote Sensing Program at Kansas Biological Survey at the University of Kansas identified likely water bodies in Kansas that might be formed by dams.
“672 — that’s how many dams KARS initially made based on our county-by-county database and dams they found with satellite imagery, aerial photography, and topographic mapping. After we got going, there were still 1,690 in our database with water structure numbers but never permitted. That’s 2,200 and some change that we know of that potentially are jurisdictional dams.” These unpermitted dams are often improperly designed and constructed, which increases their risk of failure. Using the KARS information along with field reconnaissance, Durst determines whether identified sites are dams. Structures identified as dams are then evaluated to determine whether a permit is required from the Chief Engineer. “Sometimes it’s a slam dunk. Most times it’s not,” Durst said, referring to the involved process of illegal dam permitting. For example, Durst completes hydrologic and hydraulic studies for each suspected jurisdictional structure. This entails examining a dam’s size, storage potential, downstream hazards, and flow if failed, and then calculating topographical map measurements. “We’ve got an old Soil Conservation Commission dam in Johnson County. Just a rural pond years when built years ago, now it has a homeowners association with a dozen homes around it. “The road downstream from it has about 2,000 vehicles a day and the city’s public works department. If the dam failed, it would be seven feet over the road. “Then, there is one in Jefferson, the largest, unpermitted dam yet, a beautiful structure built in the late 1950s. We went to its home owners’ association meeting and showed them aerial photography, previous repairs made on the structure, and our findings. The very receptive crowd asked a lot of questions and hired an engineer to see what the problem was, what their options were, get their emergency action plan rolling and get the structure permitted.” DWR engineers discussed modification possibilities and worked with the engineer and homeowners to develop an approach that the homeowners could financially accomplish but still protect public safety. Durst, an agricultural engineer who formerly worked with the state highway department in Texas and Kansas, started hunting illegal dams in 2005. “I ask myself: How could I be here this long and still working on this? It is just a long process. Also, the more wiling we are to work with owners, the more we are able to get done rather than the using the under-the-thumb, strong-arm technique. We know it can be expensive, and people don’t have the money to fix their dams.” The permitting process often requires owners to hire an engineer to assess dam and recommend modifications necessary to bring
Durst visits each site where aerial photos indicate a possible dam. Following her evaluation, DWR may bring an unpermitted dam in compliance with state law.
Don’t-Do-It-Yourself Dam Although the state of Kansas has more than 5,000 permitted dams - the secondlargest number in the United States many more dams in the state should have permits to ensure public safety. For example, the 2003 KARS inventory and topographic maps Waubunsee identified a 12.7 surface County acre permanent pool that showed a dam 20 to 25 feet in height across an unnamed tributary of Post Creek. Within a mile of the dam are at least six homes with an assortment of outbuildings. Within three miles are an unpaved north/south county road and a Union Pacific rail line with 23 trains carrying about a hundred cargo cars each per day. When a Division of Water Resources inspector informed the dam owner that the dam needed a permit and water rights application, the owner met DWR staff at the site to discuss the dam.
vegetation cover said to be killed by over-zealous herbicide application. Discovering the pipe needed replacement and other repairs would total about $200,000, the frustrated owner asked DWR what he could do and was told: •
Lower the lake enough to reduce the hazard classification or get the lake and dam small enough to not require permitting. • Replace the spillway pipe or use a grout fill and repair the embankment • Grout and fill the pipe and use only a service spillway • Raise the dam at least five feet to meet the current regulations. While the owner consulted with engineers regarding what needed to be done at the dam, a DWR inspection found seeping water had cut
DWR issued an Order to Breach requiring the water level to be below 15 acre-feet or pay daily monetary penalties, and owner complied. With the reservoir at non-dangerous capacity in the event of dam failure, the owners can now make a final decision on whether to breach, remove, or repair the dam.
their dam up the current safety standards. For the most part, owners have completed the required engineering and repairs. “Owners have the potential to have a class c misdemeanor if they flagrantly violate our requests. If they have a higher hazard dam and people’s lives at risk, we can start fining them every day. But that hasn’t been done to my knowledge since I’ve been here. “I have four initial evaluation lists of about a hundred each because we have to prioritize. Most of them are farm ponds. I’ve found many low hazard structures out in rural areas, but I work on high hazard and significant hazard dams because of what would happen if they failed. If Durst sees signs of impending failure, she will notify DWR’s Chief Engineer who will issue order for emergency repairs or a dam breach. Durst keeps chipping away at her dam todo list. “I think my work makes a difference. There’s a potential that maybe someone’s life might be saved. It matters.”
Sample letter sent to dam owners who may have an unpermitted dam:
There, the inspector noted the spillway pipe had a fairly large cavity around it and lack of
While the owner
channels into the dam. A 20’ x 20’ area of timber, rock, and cinder block debris also was choking the downstream area just below both outlet channels. To bypass engineering fees, the owner called DWR to say he was cutting a ditch into the auxiliary spillway to start draining the lake and had a “contractor friend with a backhoe to push the dirt up on the back side of the dam” to fill the void. That “ditch” turned into a dam breach.
Our records indicate previous construction of a dam on a parcel of property in your possession located ___, I am unable to locate any permit records for this section neither by legal descriptions nor under the name of ___. If a permit has been issued for this dam and received by you, please contact this office at your earliest possible convenience but no later than ___. If we do not receive a response, representatives from this office will visit the dam site and make the appropriate measurements to determine the current dam size, capacity, and hazard classification. As a courtesy to you, we will attempt to notify you approximately one week prior to entering the site.
Told repeatedly that repairing a dam wasn’t a “do-it-yourself” project and needed engineering expertise per state law and also that the reservoir’s water needed to be removed with a siphon and pump, the owner finally contracted with an engineering firm to do what was needed for state compliance.
It would be beneficial to know in advance if there are access issues to the property such as a locked gate, livestock, fencing, dogs, cropland, a muddy road or no road, or anything of significance to you. Please call if there are questions regarding this matter.
Informational exhibits
Posters
Audience study shows men typically look at the exhibit images and bypass its informational handouts, and women do the opposite.
To provide direct outreach, KDA-DWR hosts a booth to increase awareness and provide informational publications and Kansas events. • State Association of Watersheds (2010-2013) (Topeka) • Kansas Natural Resource Conference (2010-2013) (Wichita) • Kansas Association of Conservation Districts (2010-2013) (Wichita) • Future of Water Conference (2010-2013) • The Kansas Association for Floodplain Management (2010-2013) • Kansas Emergency Management Association (2010-2013) (Topeka) • EMSAK (2010-2013) • Ag Stewardship Conference (2011, 2013)(Overbrook) • Leavenworth County Emergency Management Safety Fair (2010, 2011) • Kansas Water Environment Association/American Water Works Association (2013) (Wichita) • Kansas Association of Realtors (2013) (Overland Park) • League of Kansas Municipalities (2013) (Overland Park)
Posters have been highly successful in attracting favorable attention, targeting audiences, and providing fresh content at events. In 2011, outreach developed a 32” x 44” infographic poster on Emergency Action Plans for an event. Interest in that poster -- requests for copies are common -- prompted further creation of topical posters that now have taken the place of the trifold exhibit display, are customized for events, and keep the exhibit booth fresh rather than static. These posters are printed inhouse on the HP 800 and mounted on foamcore at Hobby Lobby for $24. Listening to feedback, recent posters incorporate program information into less dam-specific topics such as state water administration for increased audience attainment and big picture comprehension.
Handouts customized for each exhibit event consistently show the most desired item is the 2012 Pocket Safety Guide for Dams and Impoundments.
Research posters displayed •
Future of Water Conference (2011, 2012)
• Kansas audiences do not appear interested in national brochures nor fact sheets. At exhibit booths, they do show interest in Kansas news articles such as Costly fix needed for dam: High price of repair means Lake Vaquero suddenly not as tranquil that have been reformatted to fit on one sheet of 8” 1/2 x 11” paper.
The exhibit image consistently
attracting the most attention is the Kansas map showing high and significant dams.
Kansas Environmental Forum: Making Connections, Growing the Grassroots (2012)
Poster example Departmental files provided case study information. Stories about removals in eight counties helped deliver the safety and regulatory message. Overview and statistics appeared in brown text box with permitting information included by top border.
“In reviewing dam removal, it’s making sure the plans meet requirements. There isn’t a specific section in the regs for breach. Breaches are under “modifications” but there is some criteria for breach routing. This is an existing dam that has a permit and now it needs a permit to modify. We started doing inspections on it, back in 1990. Since that time, in our reports we listed some items that needed to be completed. Due to some other issues they’ve had to deal with, they don’t feel the dam is as necessary as it used to be. It’s high hazard now due to some changes in rules and regs because of traffic count downstream. They are required to make upgrades: that’s one reason they don’t want to continue maintaining it.”
After the city of Oskaloosa dam was breached because of structural integrity issues, the former reservoir became a wetlands area.
A review of the breach shows work is in compliance with plans approved on July 1, 2011. The bottom width of the breach is 30 feet, with 3:1 sideslopes. Rock riprap is placed at the upstream and downstream side of the channel constructed through the breach area to prevent erosion. Sideslopes have been seeded and have a matting placed to prevent erosion and to hold mulch. New grass is growing on sideslopes. Breach centerline is 166 feet to the west of the old control tower as shown on the plans. The tower has been removed and area has been graded to drain to breach area. Work in the area is complete and overall the project turned out very well and is in compliance with the approved plans.
Banners For events to designate our state agency, vertical promotional banner on a lightweigtht, easy-carry $80 stand have been developed at a cost of $35 each. Horizonal banners also have been created for six-foot table use.
Division of Water Resources
Division of Water Resources
Presentations Department staff have been asked to and do present at local American Society of Civil Engineers meetings, Kansas Contractors Association Spring Days, Kansas Rural Water Association, and other special events. However, requests have been few even though the department webpage encourages requests for presentations and seminars as well as staff are listed on the state agency’s speaker bureau.
When speaking to a non-engineer audience, DWR engineers avoid technical language and define terms such as “acre-feet,” “dam toe,” and “watershed.”
Indirect outreach
Attendance at realtor, environmental, emergency management, and other events not only increases department visibility, it helps develop relationships within various professional and specialized communities. At each event attended, individuals talked with typically receive follow-up communication. These ensuing conversations bring dams to attention and also have led to many collaborations and outreach opportunities.
DWR provides information to state/local emergency management officials of communities potentially impacted by high-hazard potential dams that have been identified to be in either poor or unsatisfactory condition via each high hazard emergency action plan. Staff also hold dam safety seminars for county emergency managers as well as dam safety seminars in counties with poor or unsatisfactory dams, regularly host information booths at the two annual emergency management conferences, give presentations at the KDEM annual conference, assist emergency management conference organizers with presentations, participate in county emergency simulations and also emergency action planning sessions, attend county emergency management meetings and planning sessions, and provide EAPs to county emergency management on request or conversation follow up.
Just attending an event and talking to people offers an opportunity to disseminate information and often results in future collaborations.
Examples of indirect outreach are attendance at annual events – Topeka Farm Show, Breaking the Silence Sustainable Conference, Prairie Village Earth Fair – and one-time events, e.g., stakeholder meetings, 2013 ASDSO Emergency Action Plan Seminar; Kansas Preparedness Conference (2012, Salina); Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Disaster Recovery Framework (2012, Overland Park); Osage City city council meeting on city dam; Douglas County wetlands tour; Kansas Water Plan Aquatic Nuisance Species Management public hearing; Wyandotte County Water Rally; or Douglas County Water Festival. Outreach also has been achieved by participation at invitational events – Douglas County Mitigation Plan Annual Review Meeting, Douglas County Community Emergency Response Team scenarios; Kickapoo Nation Water Day; Bridging the Gap: Waterworks session; Party at the Pumphouse; Dirt Denim Diamonds; or tabletop Emergency Action Plan exercises, e.g., Kansas City District Corps of Engineers table top exercise for Melvern and Pomona Dams. In addition, outreach also has been accomplished through attendance at local water-related events, e.g., Local: Jayhawk Audubon Society; training, e.g., Kansas Environmental Leadership Program; board membership, e.g., Kansas Wildlife Federation; or assistance for others’ events, e.g., Kansas State Fair with Kansas Department of Agriculture display or Labette County District of Conservation Information Fair. Note: In 2011-2013, exploration of youth events, e.g., Envirothon, Wildlife Habitat Education Program (4-H), Wyandotte County Water Rally, Outdoor Adventure Camp, Kansas State Fair Agriland, proved useful only for limited networking with little or no dam safety information disemination nor possible collaborations.
Dam safety seminars Seminars on dam maintenance and inspection have been offered since initial grant funding. Earlier seminars spanned four hours; recent seminars are tailored to fit a two-hour time period that includes end questions. The dam safety program has offered about 25 on-site seminars, a total that doesn’t include conference sessions.
DAM SAFETY SEMINAR 1-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug 25 Eureka Public Library 606 N. Main St. Eureka, KS
Attendees at this free seminar also will receive various printed materials. Costs are covered by a grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. For more information, contact Cindy Higgins, cindy.higgins@ kda.ks.gov, (785) 296-0573.
On Wednesday, June 30, the Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture, will present a free informational seminar on dam maintenance and owner responsibilities 1-4 p.m. at the Town Hall Center, 125 W. Fifth Ave., Garnett.
SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE
In 2010, small dam owner seminars presenting information on dam maintenance, inspections, and emergency action plans were scheduled in counties that have numerous dams as well as those that have not been seminar sites in the past. Sites included Topeka, Garnett, Salina, Westmoreland, Olathe, and Eureka for a total of 58 attendees (9.6 average at each seminar). To reach the target audience of dam owners and those who should be concerned with dam safety (e.g., watershed district board members), an updated direct mail announcement was sent to the target audience in the seminar county and also to those in adjoining counties for a total of 338 high and significant dam owners in 24 counties, plus watershed board members. To further increase public awareness and dissemination, calendar postings and announcements for each seminar were sent to six online community calendars, 12 newspapers, 10 local libraries, two county extension offices, and web calendars. Seminars were held in attractive public spaces that didn’t charge for space. Because audiences tended to be present more for complaints and also because of previous dam seminars (2005/ El Dorado, Atchison, Topeka, Lawrence, Seneca, Yates Center, Hayes; 2006/Abilene; 2007/ Marysville, Bonner Springs, Hays, Topeka, Chanute; 2008/Gardner; 2009/Hutchinson, Larned, Clay Center), focus shifted to other outreach and format redesign.
Aging dams, population growth in floodplain areas, state regulations— there’s a lot to know about dam safety, ownership, operation, and maintenance. To increase owner and public awareness, state dam safety personnel from the Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture, will present the Dam Safety Seminar, 1-2:30 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 25, at the Eureka Public Library, 606 N. Main St., Eureka, KS. Learn about: • Owner liability and responsibilities • Operation and maintenance • Failure problem and solutions Who Should Attend: Dam owners, facility managers, operators and maintenance personnel, emergency planning and response agencies
Designed for owners and those concerned with dam safety, the seminar is intended for those who have 50 acre-feet or larger reservoirs. Owners of smaller dams are also welcome and can benefit from this seminar. “This is a ‘do’s and don’ts’ of dam ownership,” said ______, an engineer with the DWR’s dam safety program. “There’s a lot to learn about changing state regulations.” Presenters will address state requirements and signs of trouble, for example, tree damage or seepage. For more information, contact _____. Direct invitations on postcards to known dam owners consistently have been the most effective media vehicle to ensure event attendance. Trying another approach to dam safety seminars, in 2013 a free, four-hour with boxed lunch water quantity/quality workshop collaboration was held at Pierson Park Community Building in Kansas City, Kansas. Besides an onsite dam inspection of Lake Pierson, presenters addressed pond construction and maintenance along with invasive species. Postcards were sent to 137 dam owners, event notice appeared in the Wyandotte Daily News, and collaborator Wyandotte County Conservation District also promoted the event that attracted 20 attendees and positive feedback.
Slide presentation #1
Slide presentation #2
Slide presentation #3
Symposia Dam Removal A goal has been to host one special interest, 4-hour symposia with lunch annually. The 2013 Dam Removal Symposia held at a water remediation plant tour attracted 43 attendees, including eight presenters. This symposia examined start-to-finish projects, engineering issues, and permitting requirements. Presenters included representatives from the Watershed Institute; U.S. Corps of Engineers; Division of Water Resources; Kansas Department of Health and Environment; Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism; and private engineering firms. Notice of the event appeared in newsletters of organizations with pre-existing relationship (Friends of the Kaw, Hutchinson News, State Association of Watersheds, Kansas Environmental Leadership Program); on the KDA main page and Facebook, DWR web page; and was sent to Kansas media with known publicatin in 14U News, WittySparks, and Many Signals Communications radio. The Association of State Dam Safety Officials Newsletter July 2012 also noted it. Several videos and publications created in advance were finetuned and are now available. The predominantly engineer audience expressed enthusiasm for the topic, water-related site and tour, and free lunch. Professional development hours did not appear to be of any interest for attendees at this event.
Prezi The online presentation application, Prezi allows viewers to see presentations asynchronously and customize it for their own uses. The Dam Inspection Prezi with text, images, and videos, used the Dam Inspection Report checklist form as a guideline model with categories of embankment, auxiliary spillway, principal spillway, slope protection, stilling basin and outlet channels, drain outlet, fencing, downstream improvements, and reservoir area.
2013
Emergency action planning
The Dam Safety Program in the Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture, hosted the 2011 Dam Breaks in Kansas: Before, During, and After, a free emergency action plan seminar designed for emergency management staff in Kansas. John Roberts, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture emergency specialist and an international consultant with almost 40 years experience in emergency response, led participants in a dam breach scenario with multi-agency response. Roberts, an international incident command system instructor since the mid-1980s, served eight years as the director of the federal interagency training Center in Arizona. This 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. free seminar at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka, included 15-minute presentations by DWR engineers relating to dams and emergency planning (Kansas Dam Regulation and Hazard Classification, Emergency Action Plans Overview and Dam Emergency Classification System, Kansas Emergency Management Staff Role in Emergency Action Plans, and Maps and Diagrams in Emergency Action Plans); levee breach response efforts (Alan Ratcliffe, Franklin County Emergency Management); and dam break training exercises (Sandy Johnson, Homeland Security Specialist, Kansas Department of Agriculture). Pastries and a box lunch, too, was included for the 40 attendees, and the library waived room rental because of agency non-profit status. Inviting only emergency management staff theough individualized email to a centralized location proved effective.
Dam Safety Conference The annual conference targeted toward engineers has been the signature element of the dam safety dissemination effort since the start of the program. Originally, a two-day event with concurrent one hour presentations at hotels, it has more recently been a one-day program of single, 30-minute sessions at a state site, such as college campus or historical museum to support state institutions. This change has more than halved the cost of total conference and also individual attendance fees. Another cost savings has been replacing the conference program with a one-page (front and back) schedule. (Note: Presenter difficulty in sending advance abstracts also made this shorter publication more desirable.) Attendee feedback supports these changes, and attendance continues to average 150. Surveys also continue to show participants like a mix of topics excluding emergency preparation. Promotion of the event is done through email marketing to previous attendees. Location tends to be in the eastern part of the state with increased attendance when held in Topeka, the state capitol, or Kansas City, which draws attendees from the city and also from Missouri. Recent popular topics include the St. Francis dam failure history, burning on dams, and fish-related information. Attendees also indicate they like to hear from city officials involved in dam maintenance.
“This was probably our most successful event in terms of attendance, information given out, and relationship building besides the Dam Safety Conference,” said Kim Hunninghake, Dam Safety Team manager. Structuring the event for emergency manages kept the information relevant for the audience. The Kansas Dam Safety Conference is a time-proven way to share information with engineers but fails to attract individual dam owners. Said Matt Schrerer, who developed the conference, “What doesn’t work is disseminating information to dam owners at large conferences. They don’t come (lacking a regulatory requirement that they attend. What sort of works is inviting dam owners to small meetings; only a few of them come though, but the interaction with the owners is much better and more informative. “
2012
2011
Economics of Reservoir Sedimentation. Craig M. Smith, Fort Hays State University, Department of Agriculture
Role of Historic Preservation in Dam Construction. Bob Hoard and Tim Weston, Kansas State Historical Society
Kansas Department of Agriculture Economic Challenges and Vision for the Future of Kansas Agriculture. Chris Wilson, KDA
Dam Investment and Green Power: Bowersock Rubber Dam Installation. Jim Gagne, Olsson & Associates
Showcasing Water Structures in the Media. Deb O’Bannon, Univ. of Missouri-Kansas City
The Permanent Future of Kansas Waters and the Present Challenge to Kansas Water Law. Burke Griggs, KDA
South Lawrence Trafficway Embankment Fill and Wetland Stabilization. Jonathan P. Marburger, KDOT, Bureau of Design, and Jim Brennan, KDOT, Bureau of Materials and Research St. Francis Dam Failure. David Rogers, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Department of Geological Sciences and Engineering Risk-Informed Decisions: Corps of Engineers Dam Safety Program. Mark A. Locke, USACE, Dam Safety Program (Tulsa, Okla.) Fracking and Dam Risk. Anita Branch, USACE, Geotechnical Engineering (Fort Worth, Texas) with Eugene Goff, USACE, Tulsa District Levee Inspections and Response to Missouri River Flood of 2011. Martin Cleveland, Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District (Omaha, Neb.) Linked Dynamic Modeling for Flood Risk Analysis. Pablo Gonzalez-Quesada, J2 Engineering and Environmental Design Controlling Foundation Leakage in Dams. Clay Rathbun, Judy Company Erosion Control and Geosynthetics. Greg Halverson, Propex (St. Paul, MN) Drought Effects on Ponds and Lakes. Phillip Barnes, Kansas State University, Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering How Disaster Shapes Policy and Engineering in the Kansas River Basin. Dale Nimz, Kansas University
2012
Private engineer Watershed Federal State City County Other
Dam Breach Modeling for Significant and High Hazard Dams. Jude Kastens, University of Kansas Case Study: Little Walnut-Hickory Creek Watershed Sliplining. Brian Lang, USDA-NRCS Lessons Learned From Primary Spillway Pipe Rehabilitation by Sliplining. Vic Robbins, King and Associates Engineering Where Did Earth’s Water Come From? Greg Novacek, Fairmount Center for Science, Wichita State University Dam Construction and Maintenance Projects in Kansas. Bob Schieffer, Bureau of Reclamation, Great Plains Region City Dam Maintenance: Best Practices. Anthony Rome, City of Overland Park; Tom Jacobs, City of Lenexa; Clinton McNeemee, City of Atchison
Geotechnical Imaging: Detection of Structural Components and Seepage Zones Using Geophysics. Justin Rittgers, Zonge Geosciences, Lakewood (CO) Water and Kansas History. Rex Buchanan, Kansas Geological Survey Design Innovation. John King, DWR, KDA Water Right Permitting in Kansas. Lane Letourneau, DWR, KDA Side-Channel Spillway Hydraulics. Donald Baker, Water Resources Solutions 404 Permitting. Stephen Penaluna, State Regulatory Office
Burning (on Dams): Prescribed Fire. ClentonOwensby, Kansas State University
Lake Wanahoo Geotechnical Design and Construction Considerations. Andrew Phillips, Olsson Associates
Dam Inspection Panel. Kevin Shamburg, KLA Environmental Services Inc.; Kim Feldkamp, DWR, KDA; Leonard Bristow, DWR, KDA
Native Plant Use on Kansas Dams. Richard Feyh, Feyh Farm Seed Company
Kansas River Levee. Michelle Neiswener, City of Topeka
Kansas Dam Inspections. Leonard Bristow, DWR, KDA
Forest-Related Water Quality Issues. William Beck, Kansas Forest Service
Grass Planting for Slope Stabilization. Walter Fick, Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University
Floodplain Management 101. Steve Samuelson, Floodplain Program, DWR, KDA KDOT Archive for Plan and Review Use.
Labyrinth Weir - City of Augusta Dam. Karl Svaty Jr., KEC Engineering Consultants
Jonathan Marburger, Kansas Department of Transportation
Aquatic Nuisance Species: Asian Carp. Jason Goeckler, Kansas Wildlife and Parks
Pond Construction and Repair. John Roth, DWR, KDA
Fish Farm Dam Failure. Chad Johnson, Olsson Associates
Drought and Dams. Morgan Powell, Kansas State University
Emergency Management: Real-Life Response to Three Dam Emergencies. Leavenworth County Emergency Management
Update and Regulation Changes. Lucius Duerksen, U.S. Corps of Engineers Herbicides and Dams. Gary Meyer and Shawn Hackett, KDA
2013
Current State of Water Resources in Kansas. Tracy Streeter, Kansas Water Office
Water Rights. Doug Schemm, DWR, KDA Stream Mitigation. Herb Graves, SAKW Algal Blooms. Larry Erickson, Kansas Natural Resource Council Making Dams Safe for Boaters, Mike Calwell, Friends of the Kaw
Emergency Watershed Protection Program. Bruce Wells, Natural Resources Conservation Service Drought Intensities and Impacts. James Koelliker, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State University Invasive Species: Using Ecological Forecasting to Access the Threat. Ed Wiley, KU Biodiversity Institute
Kansas Water-Related Agencies, DWR, and Overview of Dam Safety Programs. Paul Graves, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture Better Dams, Levees, Embankments: Soil Type and Compaction Factors Influence on Erosion Resistance. Gregory Hanson, Agricultural Research Service, Stillwater, OK Dam Assessments. Larry Sample, AMEC National Weather Service Hydrologic Program Role in Dam Emergency Events. Kevin Low, National Weather Service, River Forecast Center Oceans of Kansas. Michael Everhart, Sternberg Museum of Natural History Stream Bank Restoration. Brock Emmert, Watershed Institute Inc. Urban Lake and Stream Restoration. Tony Stanton and Eric Dove, Olsson Associates Internet DSS Tools Demo. David Bender, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks FEMA Levee Certification. Tom Morey, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture Floodplain Fills and Levees. Ed Byrd, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture Draft Regulations – Stream Bank Stabilization Projects/Channel Modifications. Chris Warren, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture Draft Regulations – Bridge and Culvert Projects. Mike Calderwood, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
Examples of earlier presentations. Levee Safety. Karen Jacoby, National Committee on Levee Safety Georgia Floods of 2009. Gregg Hudock Mission Lake Hydraulic Dredging Project. Dan McDougal, Dredge America Hutchinson Sinkholes. Kirk Hoefner, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Emergency Action Planning for Dams. Beth Cooper, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture; Larry Caldwell (OK); and Sandy Johnson, Kansas Department of Agriculture How Communities Can Be Better Prepared Financially in Event of Disaster Using Two Kansas Counties as Examples. Chuck Banks Tulsa District Corps of Engineers Dams in Kansas and the New Risk Based Dam Safety Program. Wade Anderson; U.S. Corps; Tulsa, OK
Rebuilding an Empire: Repairing a 1906 Damaged Embankment Section. Mathew Young, Applegate Group; Denver, CO Sand Dams in Kenya. Tom MacDougall; Englewood, CO HAZUS-MH for Dam Inundation. Michael Eddings, New Strawn RISK Maps. Rodney Odom, FEMA-KC Plants as an Alternative to RipRAP. Kim Austin, Terracon/Wichita Plant and Animal Impacts on Dams. Sherry Durst, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture Protection of Earth Levees From Waves Using Floating Water Barriers. David Wren; USDA-ARS National Sedimentation Laboratory; Oxford, MS Abandonment of Underground Levee Wall Piping Penetrations. Jeffrey Humenik, EMR Infrastructure and Environment Levee Certification of the Wichita Valley Center Local Flood Control Project. Joe File, AMEC Use and Design of Plastic Pipe on Embankment Dams. Wade Anderson, U.S. Corps/Tulsa
New Lake Restoration Methods. Dennis Haag, Burns & McDonnell Wichita Levee Project. Joe File, AMEC Oklahoma Spillway Failures and Success. J. Chris Stoner; Natural Resources Conservation Services; Stillwater, OK Removal of Marmot Dam, Sandy River, Oregon: Initial Response of Hungry River. Jon Major, U.S. Geological Survey Lake Balalock Spillway and Outlet Works Improvements. Scott Brand, Black and Veatch Partnering to Rehab a 102-Year-Old Outlet Works With a Full Reservoir. Tom MacDouglas, RJH Consultants Liability of Dam Ownership. David Starkey, Kansas Department of Agriculture HEC GEO RAS for Dam Breach. Andrew Smith, Black and Veach Ethics for Engineering. Tom Mulinazzi, University of Kansas Dam Modification of a Lake Due to Hazard Classification Changes. Monty Prescott, BG Consultants
Habitat Assessment Mitigation. Chris Mammoliti, Watershed Institute
Hazard Class Upgrade. Leonard Bristow, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
Zoning and Model Ordinances. Herb Graves, State Association of Kansas Watersheds
Optimizing Your Dam Geotechnical Investigation. Molly O’Connor, Black and Veach
Hydrology. Kim Feldkamp and Karl Landis, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
Lake Manwa Rehab Study. Mike Sotak, Tetra Tech
Floodplain Basics. Tom Morey, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture Chapman Flooding and Reconstruction. Steve Higgins, Riley County Emergency Management,
Security for Dams. Jack Byers, Applegate Group Construction at Horsethief Reservoir. Andrea Prince, URS
Kaw River Degredation. Earl Lewis
High Hazard EAPs. Sherry Durst, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
RISK Mapping. Stephen Noe, AMEC
Construction Inspections. Mitch Hollingsworth
Streambank Stabilization. Phil Balch, Wildhorse Riverworks
Significant Hazard EAPs. John King, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
SITES for Dam Design. Ed Radatz, Natural Resources Conservation Services Zebra Mussels in Reservoirs. Richard Sanders, Kansas Wildlife and Parks Levee Inspection and Flood Control Channels. Bo Finneran, U.S. Corps of Engineers Stream Mitigation. Terra Technologies Dredging Reservations. Scott Satterthwaite, Kansas Department of Health and Human Services
Engineering Ethics. Steve Starrett, Kansas State University. Ka Loko Dam Failure. Matt Rosener, Hawaii Geotechnical Considerations in Conduit Replacement by Cut and Cover Technique. Danny McCook; Natural Resources Conservation Services; Fort Worth, TX Performance Review of RCC Spillways and Overtopping Protection. Fares Abdo, Portland Cement Association; Wayne Adaska, Portland Cement
Cedar Creek Dam. Lawrence Comfort, SKW Inc. Undistributed Sampling and Site Characterization for Dams. Francke Walberg, URS Photo Documentation of Inspections. David Starkey, Kansas Department of Agriculture Performance Review of RCC Spillways and Overtopping Protection. Fares Abdo, Portland Cement Association Horsethief Reservoir Sampling. Andrea Prince, URS Benchmark Surveying. George Austin, former Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture Dam Breach Modeling in Very Mild Sloping, Wide Floodplains. Randall Graham, WRE, South Florida Dealing With the Media During and Emergency. Sharon Watson, Kansas Division of Emergency Management Flood Emergency in Kansas. Kim Feldkamp and Tom Morey, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture Stream Mitigation Guidelines. Deb Baker, Kansas Water Office, and Paul Lichti, Kansas Geologic Survey
Floodplain Basics. Tom Morey, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
Taum Sauk Dam. Jim Alexander, Missouri Department of Natural Resources
High Hazard Emergency Acton Plans. Sherry Durst, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
Simplot Lagoon-Oregon. John Falk, Oregon Dam Safety Program
Levee Certification of the Wichita Valley Central Local Flood Control Project. Joe File, Scott Lindebak, and Stephen Noe Professionally Accredited Levees PALS. Julie Grauer, Federal Emergency Management Agency
Dam Strategies During WWII. Frank Calcagno, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Wakarusa WRAPS. Alison Reber, Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance HEC RAS Studies. Dennis Lawlor, AMEC
Dam Repairs During an Emergency. Joe File, Professional Engineering Consultants
Small Dam Owners Seminar. Sherry Durst and Leonard Bristow, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
Moffett Dam Pipe Replacement. Nick Dondlinger, Dondlinger Construction
Lake Lenexa and Water Quality. Andrew Smith, Black and Veatch
GIS Mapping. Carlos Carriega, Dibble & Associates
Inundation Rules and Regulations. Matt Scherer and Kim Feldkamp, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
Mobile Siphons in Dam Emergencies. Jeff Hartranft, Pennsylvania Division of Dam Safety Critzer Dam Construction. Lawrence Comfort, SKW Inc. GIS Data With DFIRM. Will Zung, URS Corporation
Dam Incidents. Leonard Bristow and Kim Feldkamp, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture SCC Rehab Funding. Hakim Saadi, State Conservation Commission
Flint Oak Resort. Tom Ruggles
SITES Dam Design Program. Ed Radatz, Natural Resources Conservation Service
NRCS Construction Quality Control. Curtis Janssen, Natural Resources Conservation Services
GIS Applications for Dam Owners. Doug Danaher, Wilson & Company
Fuse Auxiliary Spillway. Mike Sotak, Olsson and Associates
Construction Rules and Regulations. Karl Landis, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
Design Techniques. John King, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
Increasing Efficiency of HEC RAS. Doug Danaher, Wilson & Company
Resurrecting a Pond in Lenexa. Tom Jacobs, City of Lenexa
Drains and Filters. Brian Lang, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Seismic Investigations for Dam Safety. Rick Miller, Kansas Geological Survey
Seepage Control. Paul Rollins, Willowstick
South Florida Water Management District Emergency Action Plan. Kurt Amundson, Lisa Flax and Randall Graham, North Florida Water Management Auxiliary Spillway Repairs-The NRCS Perspective. Brian Lang, Natural Resources Conservation Services Watershed District Act. Matt Scherer, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
RCC Spillways. Sherry Hunt; ARS; Stillwater, OK
Watershed Benefits. Paul Gallagher, Natural Resources Conservation Service
Sedimentation of Pennsylvania Dams. Jeff Hartranft, Pennsylvania Division of Dam Safety
Slope Instability Case Study. Brian Linnan, and Francke Walberg, URS Corporation
Geologic Investigations. Scott Anderson, Kleinfelder.
Fall River Study. Phil Barnes, K-State; Brock Emmert, Watershed Institute; and Nate Davis, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Economic Value of Embankment Dams. Morgan Powell
Wetland Filter Strip for Ponds. Carson Cox, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks
Lamerston Lakes Dam. Bob Huzjack
Kansas Reservoirs: Sedimentation and Sources. Kyle Juracek, Kansas Geological Survey
Insurance for Small Dam Owners. Dan Kuecker, American Family Insurance
Methods to Reduce Siltation. Steve Starrett, Kansas State University
Camera Inspection of Dams. Gene Peters, Performance Plus/OK
Dam Maintenance During Drought. Morgan Powell, Kansas State University
New Jersey Dam Failure. John Ritchey
Dam Breach Inundation Mapping 101. Doug Danherk, Wilson Rehabilitation and Reconstruction of Abramson Dam. Vic Robbins, King Associates Tuttle Creek Dam Overview. Cindy Moses, U.S. Corps of Engineers Stream Obstructions Overview. Ed Byrd, John Roth and Matt Scherer, Division of Water Resources, Kansas Department of Agriculture
Natural and Human Disasters. Frank Calcagno, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
Dam Contracting. Jim Wallace
Lake Lenexa. Don Baker & Scott Brand, Black and Veatch Tuttle Creek Dam. Bill Empson and Brian McNulty, Tuttle Creek Reservoir
In-house publications Form letter mailings The Dam Safety Program uses form letters vetted by the agency
legal department in notification mailings, question response, and permit processing to deliver program information.
Presenters’ PowerPoints aren’t offered as publications because these are the intellectual property of the presenter and to avoid copyright infringement issues. Also, many PowerPoints are dependent on the presenter’s narrative and don’t make sense as stand-alone publications. Thus, presentation information is summarized into these fact sheets
Date CERTIFIED MAIL Name Address City, ST zipxx Re:
Permit determination Existing unpermitted dam WSN Dxx-xxxx
Dear Mr. Mrs. Ms. (Last Name):
SAMPLE FORM LETTER
On (Date), 2012, the Division of Water Resources conducted an inspection and permit determination on (site name) located in the XX quarter, of the XX quarter, of the XX quarter, of Section XX, Township XX South, Range XX (East West) of (County) County, Kansas. The inspection was conducted in response to an application for permit to appropriate water, file number xxxxxx. According to our records, you are the owner of this dam. A (map, photo, sketch) of the dam (and a copy of our inspection notes are) is attached for your reference. We have concluded that the dam is within the jurisdiction of Kansas Statute 82a-301 because the dam is greater than 25 feet in height measured from the downstream toe to the crest of the dam 6 feet in height and contains 50 acre-feet or more storage volume measured at the top of the dam. The dam is illegal and unpermitted, and is subject to the provisions of DWR administrative regulations, specifically K.A.R. 5-40-73a. Copies of the applicable statutes and regulations are available on our website. Please contact us if you want to receive copies of these documents by mail.
Our permit determination included a preliminary hazard classification for this dam. Hazard classification is based on the presence of potential hazards in the downstream path of the dam, and is not an indication of the physical condition of the dam. We have determined that this is a hazard class “--” dam. A more detailed hazard classification must be completed and summarized in the design report submitted with your application for a permit.
When Division of Water Resources published its electronic newsletter, Currents, outreach provided 27 articles with titles such as “Dam Repairs Correct 2007 Flooding Damage” to a built-in water audience.
Dam safety ftaff also provide one-on-one correspondence with dam owners and emergency managers regarding EAPs and also through dam inspection reports, phone conversations, and meetings.
Topics requested and in process: Dam Owner Responsibilities, Earthen Embankment Dam Failures, Aquatic Plant Control, CMP Pipes, Measuring Dams, Dam Uses, Unpermitted Dams, and Dam Real Estate Transactions
Presentation fact sheets
You are required to obtain an approved permit from DWR for this dam. A permit is required if you intend to keep this dam in existence, and a permit is also required if you intend to remove, breach or otherwise modify this dam. You must submit a complete permit application by (date); which is 120 days after the date of this letter. The application must meet the requirements of K.A.R. 5-40-8 and K.A.R. 5-40-74; which includes a design report and plans prepared by a licensed professional engineer.
“For EAPs, the first round we sent out was pretty effective. But the follow-up letters didn’t produce the same results because they were sent to the dam owners who don’t want to do the EAPs in the first place. The letters are all pretty similar and mention the date previous letters were sent,” said Trevor Huhn, who manages the program’s EAPs.
Current fact sheets include: Conduit Inspection Repair and Renovation Breach Inundation Maps Dam Terminology Dam Inspection Dam Maintenance Dam Rehabilitation Selecting an Engineer Does My Dam Need a Permit? Kansas Water Administration Dam Removal Considerations Dam Removal Permits: State and Federal Planting Grasses on Kansas Dams Dam Upgrading Dam Safety Issues Floodplain Fill Slope Protection Riprap Geotextiles Hazard Reclassification History of Dams in Kansas EAP Regulations EAPs for High Hazard Dams EAPs for Significant Hazard Dams EAPS and FEMA 64 EAP Emergency Levels EAP Testing
Two publications stand out: Model Dam Breach Inundation Zoning Regulations and Consulting Engineers List. The first merits attention because it was developed to assist counties and municipalities in learning how they can reasonably regulate new development below dams to minimize additional damage to life and property. And, if possible, avoid expenditures by dam owners necessary to upgrade dams that have to be raised to a higher hazard classification because of additional development below them. The second publication is useful when dam owners ask for an engineering recommendation; we offer this listing of engineers who asked to be on it.
Fact sheets
One-page handouts are produced for presentation accompaniment; to summarize or complement FEMA lengthier publications because Kansas audiences prefer facts sheets to longer publications on same topic; and to address topics of interest or need for Kansans. Need determination started with basics, e.g., Dam Terminology, and continues to expand. These “building blocks” can be inserted into lengthier publications and include Kansas considerations because audiences prefer staterelevant information with state specific legislation, locations, and examples to nationally-oriented fact sheets. Fact sheets also display dam-related photographs taken in Kansas with the county name used in the caption, for example, “Pottawatomie County” as a geographic descriptor.
In addition, selected dam safety programsponsored conference presentations have been adapted to a fact sheet format and can take advantage of the multiple images existent in the source PowerPoint: • Slipline Considerations • Burning on Dams: Prescribed Fire • City Dam Maintenance • Dam Inspection Report Forms • Dam Inspection • U.S. Corps of Engineering Permitting • Asian Carp: Aquatic Nuisance Species Threat to Kansas • Soil Type and Compaction Factors Influence on Erosion Resistance • Detection of Structural Components and Seepage Zones Using Geophysics • Drought Intensities and Impacts • National Weather Service Role in Dam Emergency Events • Water and Kansas History • Emergency Watershed Protection Program
Also, see other organizational publications and tools such as the following from the Natural Watershed Coalition: Development Downstream From Flood Control Dams Managing Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Agreements on Watershed Dams Watershed Project Sponsor Responsibilities - Dams How a Watershed Dam Works Operation and Maintenance of Watershed Dams State programs, too, often have resources of interest, for example, this Dam Safety Manual from Indiana has a useful section on maintenance; Texas’ Hydrologic and Hydraulic Guidelines for Dams provides detailed information on dam failure and inundation analysis; Oklahoma recently produced guides for maintenance and inspection; and Ohio has several publications, including fact sheets on lake drains, seepage, upstream slope protection, and concrete repair. Also see Montana’s Manual on Corrugated Metal Pipe in Dams for Montana Dam Owners: Problem Identification and Evaluation, Inspection, Rehabilitation, Repair and Replacement and the new West Dam Engineering Technical Notes, including Siphons, Filter Design Outlet Pipe Rehabilitation and Wave Runup, Rip Rap Design and Outlet Pipe Venting. On the federal government level, the FEMA National Dam Safety Program publishes various media of interest to dam owners, emergency management, and engineers, including the popular collaborative product Pocket Dam Safety Guide. Also see: Conduits through Embankment Dams: Best Practices (FEMA L266)
Website
Internal Erosion of Earth Dams
The dam safety program online dissemination is both hindered and helped by its positioning within the Division of Water Resources (three programs) with more than 30 separate topic pages, which itself nests within larger Kansas Department of Agriculture site that receives more than 9,500 hits each month on Often-requested DWR information average. • Dam Safety Inspection Report Requirements and Guidelines Mandated website redesign re• Sample Design Report. DWR-required design report example. sulting from governmental admin• Rules and Regulations Checklist for Dams. Form listing KAR 5-40-1 through 5-40-77 for engineers to istrative style changes and multiensure their plans are complete and meet DWR requirements. levels of administrative approval affect staff time and publication • Model Dam Breach Inundation Zoning Regulations immediacy. The most recent • Consulting Engineers List. Neither intended to be complete listing nor an endorsement, this list of web version, https://agriculture. • engineers with dam expertise was developed to provide a resource of available dam services. ks.gov/divisions-programs/dwr/ dam-safety, took three months to • Significant Hazard Dam Emergency Action Plan • High Hazard Dam Emergency Action Plan Form change over in 2013. Since its onset, the Dam Safety web content describes permitting, emergency action plans, and resources. In 2011, for instance, the resource section was revamped into the Dam Safety Toolbox with more than 80 selected resources.
Plants on Dams Manual (FEMA 534) Animal Impacts on Earthen Dams (FEMA L264) Seepage through Embankment Dams (FEMA 535)
• • •
Dam Spillways (FEMA 536)
•
Dam Sector Security Awareness Guide (FEMA 466)
Spillway Gates (FEMA 537) Hydrologic Issues of Dams (FEMA 538) Outlet Works (FEMA 539) Impacts of Plants and Animals on Earthen Dams (FEMA 540) Embankment Dam Failure Analysis (FEMA 541) Risk Assessment for Dams
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation offers Design of Small Dams, a classic text on dams, and Prediction of Embankment Dam Breach Parameters:A Literature Review and Needs Assessment that has a database with information on 108 previously and newly documented dam failure case studies. Also of interest is the National Resource Conservation Service that has state specific and general information
Excel Program to Design Rock Chutes for Grade Stabilization (Based on the research presented by
Design and Construction Levees (Corps EM 1110-2-1913)
Robinson, Rice, and Kadavy for the “Design of Rock Chutes,” Transactions of the ASAE 41, 3:621-626,
Culverts, Conduits and Pipe (Corps EM 110-2-2902)
1998, this Excel spreadsheet program (for Microsoft Office 97) was developed to aid in rock chute
Gravity Dam Design (EM 1110-2-2200)
design).
Guidelines for Safety Inspections of Dam (Corps ER 1110-2-106)
animated dam failure examples: Failure Modes: Overtopping and Failure Modes: Piping.
Source: Kansas Division of Water Resources dam safety engineers
Technical Manual: Conduits through Embankment Dams (FEMA 484)
•
For example, see The Costs of Rehabilitating Our Nation’s Dams; Living With Dams: Know Your Risks; and
•
Technical Manual for Dam Owners: Impacts of Animals on Earthen Dams (FEMA 473)
Design of Rock Chutes
The Association of State Dam Safety Officials offers timely information relevant to a variety of audiences.
•
Where to get $ to fix dam How much problem is going to cost What they need to do so problem doesn’t happen again What they have to do to “make the state happy” How to get rid of a certain plant or certain animal How to downgrade hazard classification (watershed associations)
Technical Manual: Plastic Pipe Used in Embankment Dams (FEMA P-675)
•
Other resources
What dam owners want to know
available on dams, including Filter Diaphragms, and Earth Dams and Reservoirs (TR60) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which offers:
These U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration publications, too, have proved helpful in dam design, including Stilling Basin Design and Stilling Well.
Online, Kansas-specific, one topic magazines
KANSAS DAMS S P E C I A L
E D I T I O N
Social media
WINTER 2012
REMOVAL Regulations, Considerations, and Design Aspects
EXACTLY HOW MANY DAMS HAVE BEEN REMOVED IN KANSAS? DWR REMOVAL PERMITTING: Kim Hunninghake explains the need to knows CHIEF ENGINEER BREACH ORDERS LAKE BARTON DAM BREACH: Site Protection and Conservation Easement Approach NO OUTLET? SIPHON REMOVAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO PROTECT WATER QUALITY GRAY COUNTY DAM REMOVAL FINE BALANCE LESSONS LEARNED FIX IT, OR ?: Removal Isn’t the Only Option DAM REMOVAL IMPACT: What Changes May Occur After a Dam Removal? TEN YEARS AFTER: Land Effect and Public Relations Aftermath DISMANTLING KANSAS RIVER DAMS
The state of Kansas has been promoting the use of social networking sites to interact with and serve the public. Public officials and agencies are encouraged to maintain Flickr, Twitter, and YouTube platforms as well as offer blogs, podcasts, and RSS feeds. The state historical society, a prolific social media developer, provides content on e-newsletters, listservs, podcasts, Twitter, YouTube, spotlight videos, Flickr, blogs, Google+, Pinterest, Tumblr, and LinkedIn. At this time, the Dam Safety Program has a news summary feature, YouTubes, Flickr, and Pinterest. It also provides information to the department’s Twitter and to Facebook sites and is developing an e-newsletter.
eNewsletter In this issue, check out upcoming legislation, a ___checklist, and____. Mark your calendar for the __________.
DWR updates
In the works is the development of a bill to amend the definition of dams in Kansas with the rationale that it will reduce the number of jurisdictional dams, especially in central and western Kansas where the risks from failure are reduced. DWR has finalized a guidance document that will give Watershed Districts a method to include additional types of projects in their approved general plans. Watershed dams have been the focus of general plans for decades; however, many watershed are interested in pursuing other types of projects that would protect watersheds and provide local benefits.
Single topic “magazines” relating to Kansas dams use a pictorial story style based on case files to convey dam information. Hosting a focus topic workshop helps generate content for these online publications that contain 12-20 pages.
With snakes in hibernation and vegetation down, winter offers an opportune time to inspect and maintain your pond dam and water control structures. One simple task you can do is to check your water control structures and clear them of debris.
Events
The State Association of Kansas Watersheds 2013 annual meeting will be Jan. 24-25, 2013, at the Holiday Inn, Topeka. Karen A. Flournoy, director, Water, Wetlands, and Pesticides Division EPA Region 7 will discuss federal legislation in a keynote address. Also of interest will be “Environmental Challenges, A New Perspective,” delivered by Chuck Easterling, Easterling Consultants, LLC, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Kansas YouTubes have been the clearest indicators of topic interest and also are the most effective dissemination method in terms of numbers for the Kansas Dam Safety Program.
TOP 10 Most Watched Kansas YouTubes
Field videos of dam safety engineers help present dam information in different perspective and add authenticity.
• Dam Checklist: Seepage • Dam Checklist: Animal Burrows • Dam Checklist: Overtopping • Dam Checklist: Headcutting • Dam Checklist: Tree Removal • Earthen Embankment Dams of Kansas • 2011 Kansas Dam Safety Conference • 2012 Dam Safety Conference • National Flood Insurance Program Origin • Delaware River Streambank Stabilization
YouTubes include: Railroad Dams in Kansas; Inadequate Stilling Basin Problems; Need for Fences on Irrigation Reservoirs Used for Cattle Watering; Primary Purposes of a Dam Emergency Action Plan; Leavenworth Dam Failure Underscores Need for Shared Emergency Action Plan; Building Embankments in the Wetlands; Embankment Protection During Drilling Dam Repair; Linked Dynamic Modeling for Flood Risk Analysis; Sand Boils in the Levees After 2011 Missouri River Flooding; Routine Levee and Drainage Structure Inspections; U.S Corps of Engineers Dam Assessments; St. Francis Dam Failure Causes; 1928 St. Francis Dam Failure; Dam Failure Offers Useful Lessons; BMPs v. Dredging: Which Most $ for Sedimentation Removal?; Dredging Costs of Tuttle Creek Reservoir; If It Looks Like Blue Green Paint Don’t Go Near It; Two Causes of Eutrophic Ponds in Kansas; Dredging Kansas Ponds; 2013 Kansas Dam Safety Conference; Lake Lenexa Dam Aesthetics; Dam Liability and Use of Emergency Action Plans; Holton Emergency Management Predicted Response to Dam Failure; Demonstrating Surface Runoff Effects on a Floodplain; Kansas Forest Service Role in Dam Mitigation; Limited Cattle Access to Ponds “How To”; Questioning Flood Control Systems: A Historical Perspective; New Geotextile Standards; Functions of Geotextiles; Headcut Erosion and Spillway Maintenance; Grass Cover on Dams in Western Kansas; Modification Permit Need; Monitoring National Levee Database Design; Measuring a Dam; Increased Erosion on Uneven Spillway; Erosion Control Fencing During Dam Rehabilitation; Pond Sediment Maintenance; Historical Preservation and Reservoirs; Vacuum Issues in Sliplining; High and Significant Dam Breach Modeling; Explaining Water Structures; Dam Conduit Issues; 2012 Dam Safety Conference; Grass Cover on Dams in Western Kansas; Modification Permit Needed; Beaver Signs; Failed Kansas Dam; Earthen Embankment Dams; Kansas Department of Health and Environment Permits Applicable to Dams; KDHE Water Quality Permitting Aspects of Dam Removal; Water Quality Protection Plan, What Is an EAP?, National Dam Failures and Preparation, Hazard Reclassification: What Now for Dam Owners?, Delaware River Streambank Stabilization: Two Years Later, Dessication Cracking; Dam Soil Analysis; Flooding in Kansas; 2011 EAP Seminar; Dam Checklist: Cracking; Dam Checklist: Access Erosion; Dam Checklist: Tree Removal; Dam Checklist: Animal Burrows; Dam Checklist: Seepage; Field Notes: Bowersock Dam; About the Water Structures Team; Permit Inspection: Spillway Pipe Installation; Dam Checklist: Overtopping; and Dam Checklist: Headcutting; Permit Inspection: Core Trench; What Is One of the Things You Should Be Thinking About?; 2011 Kansas Dam Safety Conference. Analytics differ according to time; for example, average time viewed at 58 seconds and playback location shows YouTube watch page (79.7%), mobile devices (16.4%), embedded player on other websites (3.6%), and other (.4).
Initially reluctant to participate in video interviews, staff have become more comfortable after they see an actual YouTube online.
Videos tend to be about two minutes beginning with a four-second title still shot and ending with a state of Kansas logotype. YouTubes either feature staff, photographs with text, and speakers at DWR events or speakers at outside events talking on dam-related topics. They also can be accessed through YouTube directly or via the departmental website.
Key points from Kansas Dam Safety Conference presentations also are made into YouTubes.
YouTubes also are made on occasion from Kansas dam-related presentations sponosred by outside organizations.
Representatives from outside agencies and organizations also are featured on the YouTube Channel. Here, Scott Satterthwaite, Kansas Department of Health and Environment Watershed Management Section in the Bureau of Water, explains permits and water quality protection plans in the construction stormwater program that protects the waters of Kansas from contamination to Division of Water Resources dam safety staff.
Online instruction
A 2013 outreach method is Pinterest to present a positive image of the state’s impressive quantity and quality of dam infrastructure through visual content. Items can be carried over to Facebook and Twitter for additional reach. Initial interest has been in “Waterfall Dams” and “WPA Dams.” For example, Lynette M. wrote about the Lake Waubunsee Dam, a WPA project: “Great legacy.”
Topic: Dam construction Audience: Dam owners, watershed board members, legislators, journalists, and general public Number of participants: A link would be provided on a dam-related website and with possible e-mail notification; ideally, this instruction could reach the estimated 6,000 owners of Kansas dams with state permits and especially watershed boards that oversee more than 500 of Kansas’ larger earthen embankment dams. Media: A prototype has been developed on Squidoo for Adobe Captivate re-packaging. Lesson description: In this first module of a three-part unit, participants will be introduced to dams -- their purpose, history, construction, and design details. This self-guided, online interactive module provides background knowledge for participants to learn about the parts of dam and dam-related vocabulary, which will be needed in further modules concentrating on maintenance and inspection. The easy-to-understand text distills existing dam knowledge and the expertise of Division of Water Resources departmental subject matter experts. The DWR department’s photograph archive and online materials (developed along with this course text) provide additional resource-supported content. At the conclusion of this module, participants will have increased awareness of how a dam is made, be familiar with fieldrelated terms and have a terminology handout, and demonstrate their ability to label the parts of a dam. In two accompanying modules, participants will know what maintenance needs to be done for dams and identify possible problems that can lead to dam malfunction. In addition, they will have a general understanding of Kansas regulatory requirements regarding dam construction and ownership and know where to find further information on applicable state law. Lesson procedure: Through sequential content presentation in online informational blocks, participants will be introduced to relevant background information regarding earthen embankment dams and specific to the state of Kansas. Participants can start and stop whenever they like in this self-directed course, progressing entirely at their own pace and going back as many times as desired to review material. Three attention-sparking facts lead off this module and also serve as an icebreaker to engage audience attention. Motivation inducement: Visual design of the module with a clean white background, short text segments, videos, and graphics are used to involve the audience. Friendly, positive text adds to this participant invitation by employing active voice, simple sentences, and short paragraphs topped with conversational headlines -- Water in Kansas; Then and Now: A Quick Look at Dams; Nature’s Dams: Beaver-Style; Around the World; How Many State-Regulated Dams Are in Kansas; Photo Gallery; Dam Design; It’s More Than a Pile of Pushed Up Dirt; What Goes Where; More Need to Knows; Your Turn; Too Much, Too Little; and How Much Have You Learned: Show Time!-- helps motivate the audience to continue advancing. Formatting of the online site aids in participant progression as it is one continuous, scrolling page rather than a daunting, multi-page workbook or multi-tabbed website. In addition, bright yellow sticky notes offer short definitions to key words.
LESSON PLAN
This visual outreach adds to that achieved through our Flickr site where construction and engineering aspects of individual dams have been emphasized. Feedback indicates photos, which are being displayed in individual dam “sets,” are used to promote dams and for education.
Pictorial points: • Map of Kansas showing rivers • Fooled by Nature video link from Animal Planet • Map of Kansas showing jurisdictional dams • Photo gallery showing 10 embankment dams at various times of the year • Dam diagram showing complexity and engineering involved in a dam • Trapezoid shape to note triangular shape influences stability • Water molecule graphic: Soil-water interaction point will thread throughout modules • Try to Name Parts (pictorial chart made with PowerPoint/Photoshop) Main points restated: Vocabulary and dam parts are re-stated through diagram and videos. Kansas-specific points: • East and west Kansas water supply differs • Kansas has flooding • Dams are mostly in eastern part of state • Number of state-regulated dams and high number of dams • Most Kansas dams built of earth • Division of Water Resources in Kansas Department of Agriculture oversees dams • DWR engineers inspect construction to ensure dam is built per state standards Question use: • “How Many State-Regulated Dams Are in Kansas” is asked without any expectation of audience knowledge. Instead its subhead (Hint: It’s the second-highest in the Nation!) is to emphasize how many dams are in Kansas, which is retold with map and mention of more than a hundred thousand dams. • “Try to Name the Parts” is an implied question (note “Try” instead of “Name the parts” as this is not an obligatory, formal lesson) is more of a beckon for a game than challenge. • “How Much Have You Learned” is a challenge to motivate participant to take quiz. • “What Did You Learn About Dams That You Didn’t Know Before” is a knowledge prompt and opportunity for continued informational dialogue. Measurement and closure: These elements are combined in the “How Much Have You Learned” fivequestion quiz that is easy enough that viewers should get all answers right (but not insulting) to encourage advancement to next module. The quiz also reinforces key points with gives a feedback score. The ending comments section also promotes knowledge processing by asking for information.
Two addional modules - Capture, Store, and Protect: Dams and Maintenance (above) along with Capture, Store, and Protect: Dam Inspection (below) - can be offered besides the first lesson.
A Lectora version of the first module also was developed for The TrainingFinder Real-time Affiliated Integrated Network, an online learning resource for professionals who protect the public´s health and safety and project of the Public Health Foundation funded by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, participating states, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Outside media Media coverage
In the Oct. 4, 2012 “Dam Inspectors Fear the Deluge,” Stateline article, the Kansas Dam Safety Program is referenced with other state programs as having insufficient funding for inspection and upkeep. But those grants have been shrinking amid the failure to renew the 2006 Dam Safety Act. The same can be said in Kansas, where a nine-member staff oversees more than 6,000 dams, 220 of which are high-hazard. Half of those positions are funded by federal grants. “We’re definitely on a downward trend in funding. It’s pretty bleak.” says Chad Voigt, who manages the state’s water structures program. .... The situation is different in Kansas, where state regulators are increasingly privatizing the inspections process, requiring owners to get private contractors to sign off on their dams. The process has helped ease the state’s burden, but it’s also led to a backlog of paperwork, Voigt says. “We’re not able to keep up.”
Published: 8/14/2010 By Mary Clarkin - The Hutchinson News Hutchinson homeowners surprised with $900,000 bill for dam . . . .Clennan invited Kimberly Feldkamp, with the water structures program under the Division of Water Resources in the Kansas Department of Agriculture, to conduct a site visit to Panorama Lake Dam. The tour took place Jan. 8, 2009, with Clennan and Jerry McGonigle, who had signed the deed to the property just three months previously. A full survey could not be done, Feldkamp noted in a written report, because of the vegetation on the dam. “There has been a lack of maintenance on this structure,” Feldkamp said in an interview last week. The memo Feldkamp wrote after the 2009 visit was not entirely critical. The auxiliary spillway “has been maintained very well,” she wrote. But, she recommended the primary spillway pipe be replaced and that all brush be cleared. Trees smaller than six inches in diameter should be cut, she advised. “Due to the size of the larger trees, removal was not recommended unless the entire embankment was to be reconstructed,” Feldkamp also wrote. Removing large trees can do more harm than good, because rotting roots will shrink and the voids can allow for seepage and internal erosion, according to Federal Emergency Management Agency dam safety information.
Traditional media hasn’t shown much interest in publishing dam-related information, including legislation changes. A statewide agricultural newspaper, Grass and Grain, is the likeliest to run basic dam information while city newspapers have covered local dam repairs in their area. EAP tabletop radio coverage City of Horton plans, put in place for a time of real emergency regarding the flooding of the Mission Lake Dam, are commended by state officials. That follows a near two hour emergency action plan workshop held Thursday at the Horton Blue Building, and presented by city public service officer James Stuart. In attendance, as the emergency plans were reviewed and enhanced, were Horton Mayor Tim Lentz, as well as the majority of the City Commission, the Brown County Emergency Preparedness Director, the local Red Cross community coordinator, Horton Police Chief Dick Luzier, Brown County Sheriff John Merchant, Horton utilities representatives and members of the Brown County Road and Bridge Department, along with others. Overseeing the session were representatives from the Kansas Department of Agriculture‘s Division of Water Resources, including Dam Safety Team Engineer Trevor Huhn. Huhn says the Department of Ag regulatory agency serves in a technical expertise role, inspecting the dam as required and assisting the local authorities during any related emergency. Huhn and his fellow employee, Cindy Higgins, both advised the local leaders during the training session, saying they were impressed with the plan already in place and the leadership shown by the local officials: The coordination of planning included a review of the chain of command should a Mission Lake Dam emergency occur, areas to be affected by flooding, as well as a brief mock training exercise utilizing the officials in attendance.
Dam owners need to inspect for signs of damage due to heavy rain TOPEKA – Because of extreme rainfall this season, the Kansas Department of Agriculture’s dam safety program is urging dam owners to inspect their dams for signs of damage.
The few media stories involving the dam safety program have been through interview requests with the exception of the radio story done during an EAP in which dam safety staff were present.
The press release to the right was issued in the early years of the dam safety program during heavy rain periods but attracted minimal media interest. In reality, media research shows some interest in a particular dam if owned by local government entity and requiring taxpayer support.
“Owners need to be vigilant for signs of damage and report concerns to either our department here in the Division of Water Resources or to a qualified engineer.”
SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE
A press release about the annual conference garners one or two stories. However, 17 media picked up the dam removal seminar.
“Spring and summer storms may have put some dams under extra stress or possibly caused structural damage,” said Kimberly Feldkamp, director, Kansas Dam Safety Program. “Kansas has more than a hundred thousand dams—the second-greatest number in the nation.
Common problems that develop after a precipitation event are debris accumulating around the pipe inlet, overtopping, and erosion of the embankment and spillway. Less common problems, such as sinkholes on the embankment, also can develop. In rare instances, dams can fail and put life and property downstream at risk. Report dam failures by calling (800) 915-6163 or online . Call (785) 296-2933 for non-emergencies. “The dam safety program provides information and assistance to dam owners and the public statewide, as well as regulating the design, construction and operation of dams in Kansas,” Feldkamp said, “Our goal is to keep Kansans and their property safe.”
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External database submissions Overall, there appears to be a lack of public awareness regarding dams (except that the 27 federal dams in the state of Kansas). To bring awareness of dams, a first step has been to prepare an extensive history of dams in the state, a related fact sheet, and to add public-owned dams to the Kansas Historic Resources Inventory (KHRI) database administered by the State Historic Preservation Office at the Kansas Historical Society, which is a searchable inventory of the state’s historic properties designed to serve as an education and reference tool for preservation professionals and general public. To date, the following dams have been added: Santa Fe Lake Dam, Moline; Lake McKinney Dam, Deerfield; Lower West Lake Dam, Pleasanton; Rocky Pond Dam, Belleville; and Santa Fe Lake Dam, Chanute.
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“Dam” entry added to Kansapedia, an online encyclopedia of Kansas history.
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Kansas Dam Safety Program