Ohio Dam Safety Organization, Summer 2009

Ohio Dam Safety OrganizationBy Jeff Brooks, Chairman

The Ohio Dam Safety Organization (ODSO) was formed in 1995 as a division of the Water Management Association of Ohio (WMAO). ODSO is also affiliated with the national Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO). Membership in ODSO is free and open to all who are members of WMAO. It is ODSO’s mission to promote dam safety in the State of Ohio by establishing a partnership between dam owners, operators, engineers and regulators. We do this by providing forums for education and discussion on dam safety related issues and providing a voice for all concerned in the formation and implementation of dam safety policy in the State of Ohio. One important way we do this is through publication of Another Dam Newsletter.

2009 Status of Ohio Dam FundingBy Barry Puskas

As part of the initiative to jump start the economy, money has been provided through bills such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to provide funds for infrastructure projects throughout. Although the American Society of Civil Engineers rated the overall status of the nation’s dams as a “D” and the Ohio Chapter of ASCE graded Ohio’s dams at a slightly higher “C” (See full story on page 6), the amount of funding for dam repairs is still lacking. The status of funding for Ohio Dams is shown below:

The American Recovery and Reinvestment ActThe American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) signed into law by President Obama is expected to allocate $4,521 million to the State of Ohio.

Ohio ARRA initiative has received numerous funding requests submitted to the http://recovery.ohio.gov/ administered by Governor Ted Strickland. Dam related projects for Ohio are categorized and listed below from applicant information submitted to State of Ohio Federal Stimulus Initiative.

Project Sponsor (Dams) Estimated Amount

State Government $ 16,600,000

Local Government $46,378,000

Not-for-Profit $18,300,000

For Profit Business $173,000

Dam Subtotal $81,451,000

Total Ohio Request (all projects) $9,664,448,976

Dam Project Funding 0.84%

Ohio dam related project funding requests are less than 1-percent of the total request. Dams are an essential part of Ohio’s infrastructure that provides numerous benefits such as drinking water, flood protection, hydroelectric power, navigation, irrigation, and recreational opportunities.

Rehabilitation and Repair Bills Introduced in House and Senate on March 26

The Dam Rehabilitation and Repair Act of 2009 was introduced with bipartisan support in both the House and the Senate on Thursday, March 26. The bill would establish a program through FEMA to provide grant assistance for the rehabilitation and repair of deficient publicly owned, non-federal, high-hazard-potential dams. The ODSO Executive Board has contacted members of the Ohio Congressional Delegation advocating passage of this needed legislation. The Board in turn encourages all concerned members to do the same. Email ODSO@live.com for links and contact information.

The House version of the bill, H.R. 1770, was introduced by Rep. John Salazar (D-CO) and cosponsored by Rep. Betsy Markey (D-CO) and Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV). The bill has been referred to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Similar legislation was introduced in the Senate, S. 732, by Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and referred to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. The Senate version of the bill has six cosponsors including Sen. Arlen Specter (R-PA), Sen. Benjamin

email us: ODSO@live.com

HELP US GO GREEN and enhance Another Dam Newsletter. We currently distribute over 1200 copies of this newsletter. By electing to receive the newsletter by email, we can save on printing costs, as well as provide an enhanced newsletter with color graphics and clickable links to additional information. To receive this newsletter by email, please send us an email at ODSO@live.com (please include your name).

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Ohio Dam Safety Organization Summer 2009

Cardin (D-MD), Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY), Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH), Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Sen. Robert Casey (D-PA).

Dam Safety Tip - Open Channel Spillway (Earth and Rock)By Pete George, ODNR

Open channels are often used as the emergency spillway and sometimes as the principal spillway for dams. A principal spillway is used to pass normal inflows, and an emergency spillway is designed to operate only during large flood events, usually after the capacity of the principal spillway has been exceeded. For dams with pipe conduit principal spillways, an open channel emergency spillway is almost always required as a backup in case the pipe becomes clogged. Open channels are usually located in natural ground adjacent to the dam and can be vegetated, rock-lined, or cut in rock.

DesignFlow through an emergency spillway does not necessarily indicate a problem with the dam, but high velocity flows can cause severe erosion and result in a permanently lowered lake level if not repaired. Proper design of an open channel spillway will include provisions for minimizing any potential erosion. One way to minimize erosion is to design a flatter channel slope to reduce the velocity of the flow. Earthen channels can be protected by a good grass cover, an appropriately designed rock cover, concrete or various types of erosion control matting. Rock-lined channels must have adequately sized riprap to resist displacement and contain an appropriate geotextile fabric or granular filter beneath the rock. Guide berms are often required to divert flow through open channels away from the dam to prevent erosion of the embankment fill. If an open channel is used for a principal spillway, it must be a rock-lined or cut in rock due to more frequent or constant flows.

Ohio Administrative Code Rule 1501:21-13-04 requires that the frequency of use for an earth (grass-lined) or a rock-lined emergency spillway be less than: once in 50 yrs. for Class I dams, once in 25 yrs. for Class II dams; and once in 10 yrs. for Class III dams.

Maintenance Grass-covered channels should be mowed at least twice per year to maintain a good grass cover and to prevent trees, brush and weeds from becoming

established. Trees and brush must be removed from the channel to maintain channel capacity. Erosion in the channel must be repaired quickly after it occurs. All obstructions should be kept out of the channel. Weathering of rock channels can be a serious problem and is primarily due to freeze/thaw action.

MonitoringOpen channel spillways should be monitored for erosion, poor vegetal cover, growth of trees and brush, obstructions, and weathering and displacement of rock. Monitoring should take place on a regular basis and after large flood events. It is important to keep written records of observations. Photographs provide invaluable records of changing conditions. All records should be kept in the operation, maintenance, and inspection manual for the dam.

For further information visit the ODNR website: http//www.dnr.state.oh.us/water for additional detailed information or contact us at Dam Safety Engineering Program, 2045 Morse Road Bldg. B-1, Columbus, Ohio 43229-6693. Voice: (614) 265-6731.

ODSO Executive BoardBy Jeff Brooks, Chairman

ODSO is governed by an Executive Board of representative dam owners elected at our annual Fall meeting. The Executive Board consists of one member representing each of the following seven areas of dam safety interest:

• Academia • Conservancy Districts • Dam Construction Contractors • Engineering Consultants • Industrial Dam Owners • Municipal Dam Owners • Private Dam Owners • At-Large (New Position in 2009)

The Executive Board’s Officers are Jeff Brooks-Chairman from the City of Columbus representing Municipal Dam Owners, Barry Puskas-Vice Chairman from Miami Conservancy District representing Conservancy District and Tom Moe-Secretary/Treasurer representing Private Dam Owners.

This year’s Executive Board consists of two newly elected members including Tia Chang from Ohio University in Athens, Ohio representing Academia and Rob Kirkbride from Stantec Consulting representing

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Ohio Dam Safety Organization Summer 2009

one of the At-Large Positions.

Additional Board members include Chris Engle from Ohio Contractors Association representing Dam Construction Contractors, Pete Kusky from Aqua Ohio, Inc. representing Industrial Dam Owners, and Joe Stock from Buckeye Engineering representing Engineering Consultants.

The Advisory Committee members are Joe Stock (immediate past Chairman), Pete George from ODNR/Division of Water/Dam Safety Program, Scott Jerrome from Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and Dennis Tomcik from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency (OEMA).

Further information is available on our website: http://www.wmao.org/div/odso/

Division of Soil and Water ResourcesBy David Hanselmann, ChiefDivision of Soil and Water ConservationOhio Department of Natural Resources

As many of you know, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is planning to merge the Divisions of Water and Soil and Water Conservation. By the time you read this newsletter we expect that the General Assembly will have given its consent. I feel fortunate to have a strong background in many of the Division of Water programs, by virtue of working my first three years at ODNR in the Division of Water, on Lake Erie programs. Then through my first position in the Division of Soil and Water Conservation working on stormwater management, and through many years as assistant chief and chief, I have been active in the Water Management Association of Ohio.

Through WMAO I saw the creation of the Ohio Dam Safety Organization (ODSO). Now as chief I had my first opportunity to attend your organization’s board of directors meeting. I saw lots of positive energy there, which all of us in the new Division of Soil and Water Resources appreciate. I understand the important role ODSO plays in coordinating private and public sector work, along with that of dam owners. The chance to collaborate on training and outreach to dam owners and those who consult and assist them is critical. In that vein, please encourage appropriate people to attend the ODSO training set for September 23 in Cambridge. Please complete the enrollment form to reserve your seat.

Just in my first few weeks in my new position with the merged divisions, I have needed to help our dam safety staff determine how to deal with several dams beset with significant risk for failure. This should remind all of us how important the work we do is to protect public safety across Ohio. I am impressed with the expertise of our division staff, and at the same time know that the collaborative work we do with ODSO and other partners is critical to continuing to protect the safety of downstream people and property, and so we can continue to enjoy the numerous benefits for water supply, flood protection, drinking water, and more. I appreciate our ODSO partnership and look forward to working closely with you in the months and years ahead.

WMAO/ODSO Annual 2009 Fall Conference By Scott Jerrome The Water Management Association of Ohio (WMAO) is now planning for its 38th Fall Conference to be held November 4 & 5, 2009 at the Midwest Hotel and Conference Center (4900 Sinclair Drive, Columbus, OH 43229). The theme of this year’s conference is “Reinvesting in Ohio Water”. Conference presentations related to “Reinvesting in Ohio Water” will be selected from submitted abstracts (due Date May 29, 2009). ODSO organizes a breakout session during this conference and presents topics on dams and dam safety, conduct their annual meeting, and hold election of officers. Other breakout sessions will focus on the following potential topics:

• Identification of local and statewide water infrastructure needs

• Success stories and lessons learned from “economic stimulus” funded water infrastructure projects

• Examples of successful, locally coordinated planning to meet water infrastructure needs, e.g. regional planning, balanced growth watershed planning, watershed action planning

• Analysis of ecological services provided by “green” infrastructure such as wetlands streams, riparian forests

• Local benefits from investment in water infrastructure: health, safety, environment, economic

• Water resource protection and improvement as an economic development engine

• Impacts on the watercraft industry by changes in

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Ohio Dam Safety Organization Summer 2009

water (quality and/or quantity) related legislation.• Impacts of global changes on recreation and

navigation.• Successes for remediation of Acid Mine Drainage

from Ohio’s legacy of coal production.• Research application opportunities for water

resource planners and managers• Successful water resource education and outreach

projects

Please check the WMAO website http://www.wmao.org/meetings.shtml for information on submission of abstracts, and future information on registration for the fall conference.

ODSO Fall Workshop The Ohio Dam Safety Organization will be hosting a one day workshop titled “Operation, Maintenance, Inspection and Emergency Preparedness for Ohio Dams” on September 23, 2009 in Cambridge, Ohio. This one day workshop will discuss properly operated and maintained dams and how to identify and correct many of the typical problems seen at dams in Ohio. Speakers will be on hand from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Consultants and private dam owners to share their experiences and knowledge about these topics. The workshop costs are only $25.00 and includes all workshop materials, as well as lunch, but participants must pre-register (see attached registration brochure). Workshop costs have been held as low as possible in hopes of making this high quality learning experience affordable to as many people as possible. This material is applicable to not only owners and management, but also front line operations and maintenance personnel. We know that budgets are tight but don’t let this opportunity pass. You will be hard pressed to find a greater value. The ODSO Fall Workshop will be held at the following address:

Cassel Station Volunteer Fire Department4500 Peters Creek Road

Cambridge, Ohio

If you have questions, or for more information contact Pete Kusky at 330-397-0790.

Dam Safety Loan ProgramReprint from ODNR’s web site.

The Ohio Water Development Authority (OWDA) and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)

have joined to create two loan programs to assist the state’s dam owners in funding safety related repairs and improvements. Public agencies will utilize the Ohio Water Development Dam Safety Loan Program and private or corporate owners may borrow through the Ohio Water Development Link Deposit Program.

For more information, refer to http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/water/dsafety/damloans.htm

ODSO Executive Board Nominations-SoughtBy Pete Kusky

The nominating committee is seeking candidates for the following ODSO Executive Board positions:

• Engineering Consultant,• Dam Construction Contractor,• Industrial Dam Owner, and • At Large (New Position in 2009).

Board seats are for two years, commencing in No-vember 2009. The Board meets quarterly in central Ohio. Nominations for the At-Large position can be from any of the seven areas of dam safety (Academia, Conservancy Districts, Dam Construction Contrac-tors, Engineering Consultants, Industrial Dam Owners, Municipal Dam Owners, and Private Dam Owners). Nominations will be placed on the ODSO ballot and voting will take place at the Fall WMAO conference. Absentee ballots will be available in the Fall WMAO newsletter. You may nominate yourself or other interested candidates. Nominations must be received by August 1, 2009 and include name, email address and phone number, and. Nominations should be sent to pjkusky@aquaamerica.com or faxed to 330.726.8003 (attention Pete Kusky).

DAM SAFETY AWARDSBy Dan Hill

BEST MAINTAINED DAMSCongratulations to the winner (there was only one valid entry which met the eligibility requirements) of last year’s ODSO Dam Safety Award for best maintained dam. The 2008 winner (in the Industrial ownership category) recognized at the Annual Meeting last November was:

Lake Evans Dam, owned by Aqua Ohio

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Ohio Dam Safety Organization Summer 2009

Membership ApplicationPlease complete this form and include it with your payment (made payble to WMAO) to:

The Ohio Dam Safety OrganizationA Division ofWater Management Association of Ohio601 Dempsey RoadWesterville, Ohio 43081-8978

NAME

ORGANIZATION

TITLE

MAILING ADDRESS

OFFICE PHONE

E-MAIL

MEMBERSHIP ANNUAL DUES BENEFITS

Individual $65.00 1 member

Organizational $180.00 3 members, additional members $60 each

Sustaining $400.00 6 members, additional members $60 each; business card advertisement space in 4 Ohio Water Table issues (Please provide complete information on each individual)

Student $10.00 1 member

Emeritus $25.00 1 member; must be 65 years of age with 5 years membership in WMAO or be approved by the executive board.

MEMBERSHIP TYPE

AREAS OF INTEREST (Check all that apply)

❑ Agriculture ❑ Floodplain Management ❑ Research & Data Management

❑ Dam Safety (ODSO) ❑ Groundwater ❑ Stormwater Management

❑ Education ❑ Recreation & Navigation ❑ Water & Wastewater

X

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A photo of this dam and photos of many of the previous winning dams can be viewed at the ODSO web site: www.wmao.org/div/odso. Click on Awards and then click on the name of the dam.

Nominations for the 2009 awards are now being sought. Eligibility is primarily based on two simple requirements: (1) the dam must be at least 5 years old; and (2) it must be in compliance with all of the Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) dam safety regulations. Please note that it is not necessary to have recently completed improvements or major rehabilitation of a dam for it to be eligible. The pur-pose of this awards program is to encourage proper ongoing maintenance of dams. Remember: Safe Dams Are Well Maintained Dams!

This year’s awards will be presented in conjunc-tion with the Ohio Dam Safety Organization / Water Management Association of Ohio annual conference in early November. To make a nomination for this year’s awards, fill out the form in this newsletter and return it by September 4, 2009 to:

Daniel M. Hill, PE, ChairODSO Awards Committee1433 Inglis AvenueColumbus, OH 43212

ASCE Ohio Council Infrastructure Report CardOhio Dams Grade = CThe ASCE Ohio Council of Local Sections released their 2009 Ohio Infrastructure Report Card to the media on May 20, 2009. The OSDO Executive Board had voted earlier to unanimously endorse its findings. The full reports on Dams and nine other segments are available at: www.ohioasce.org. Highlights from the Dams segment follow:

The majority (68%) of dams in Ohio are in private ownership; government ownerships are 23% local, 7% state, and only 2% federal. There were 1,597 ODNR-regulated (Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Water, Dam Safety Program) dams in Ohio in 2007 (latest overall data available for preparation of ASCE report card). Of that total, 375 are High Hazard Class I dams, 543 are Significant Hazard Class II dams, and 679 are Low Hazard Class III dams.

One-third (524) of the ODNR-regulated dams, however, have some deficiencies; there are near uniform deficiency percentages for Class I, II, & III dams (31%, 33%, & 33%, respectively). Based on a 2008 Condition Rating of High Hazard Class I dams that ODNR prepared for the US Army Corps of Engineers’ National Inventory of Dams (NID) all ODNR-regulated dams were assigned a resulting composite grade point average is 2.05 (within the context of the commonly used 4.0 scale), or a C.

The estimated cost to repair the 524 deficient dams is nearly $300 million; of that total, some $68 million is needed for just the Class I dams. New funding initiatives are needed to rectify those deficiencies. The recent reductions in state and federal funding that support ODNR’s Dam Safety Program also need to be reversed in order to monitor dams and assure dam safety (See article on page 1 for funding up-date).

Ohio can support “Key Solutions” to achieve a higher grade, as outlined in the full report card, by a variety of existing and new programs. This support should include:

• Continuing to offer low interest loans for dam repair through the Ohio Water Development Authority. In keeping with the American Re-covery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, offer zero percent loans for dam rehabilitation.

• Promoting and supporting federal legislation to provide grants to Ohio’s Dam Safety Program. These grants are particularly needed to offset reduced state budgets.

• Supporting passage of the federal Dam Rehabili-tation and Repair Act of 2009 to provide fed-eral funds to correct deficiencies at non-federal publicly owned dams. Continuing to enforce the implementation of repairs to severely deficient dams. Strengthen state rules to provide greater enforcement of “required” repairs.

Ohio Dam Safety Organization Summer 2009

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Ohio Dam Safety Organization Summer 2009

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Ohio Dam Safety OrganizationWater Management Association of Ohio

601 Dempsey RoadWesterville, Ohio 43081-8978(614) 882-5489

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDColumbus, OhioPermit No. 6256

ODSO 2009 Best Maintained Dam Nomination Form

Categories (check one): 1 Industrial 1 Private 1 Property Owner Association 1 Local Public 1 State 1 Conservancy District

Name of Dam: __________________________________________ODNR File No. (if known) ___________

Owner: ____________________________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________

Telephone No.: ______________________________________________________________________

Nominator (optional): ________________________________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________

Telephone No.: ______________________________________________________________________

Ohio Dam Safety Organization Summer 2009

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