Seminar on Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams

2025 DOMESTIC SEED SEMINAR

***Notice***

The Domestic Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams (SEED) Seminar will be held May 12 to May 16, 2025

Please send an email to SEEDSeminar@usbr.gov with any questions.

Background

Because the often-catastrophic consequences of dam failure are unacceptable, the need for trained personnel is essential. This seminar provides attendees with comprehensive instruction in dam safety examination and evaluation. Although references will be made to organizational procedures and units of Reclamation, the principles, concepts, and procedures are readily adaptable to any organization conducting a regulatory or in-house dam safety program for existing dams.

Scope

The basic seminar emphasizes the importance of dam safety and provides information and instruction in dam safety surveillance, including periodic review of pertinent records, visual examination, and monitoring of instrumentation. Hydrologic considerations, concrete repair, remedial measures for dams, and emergency action planning are also discussed. The seminar is suitable for engineers, scientists, technicians, maintenance personnel, and administrators new to dam safety; however experienced participants can benefit from some of the advanced dam safety topics.

The seminar includes a visit to a local Colorado dam to practice inspection techniques during a simulated dam examination. As part of the seminar, three concurrent workshops are being presented on Thursday afternoon to provide more information on the following subject areas:
  • Engineering Geology and Dam Safety Workshop presents an introduction to geologic investigation and evaluation relative to dam safety static and seismic issues.
  • Evaluation and Response to Seepage and Internal Erosion Concerns presents seepage process and failure modes, types of sinkhole formations, and approaches for investigating and responding to seepage and internal erosion conditions.
  • Emergency Management presents key elements of a dam owner's responsibilities regarding facility operations in response to emergencies, namely detection, decision making, and notification and how to exercise those responsibilities through simulated events.

Training Staff

The seminar instructors consist of a group of professional engineers and scientists who have a great deal of experience and knowledge in the areas of design, construction, operation, maintenance, instrumentation, and dam safety evaluation. Many of the instructors have conducted training programs for Reclamation and other US and foreign personnel involved in dam safety.

Seminar Tuition

Free. Reclamation's Dam Safety Office is providing the seminar at no cost to attendees.

DOI cannot provide meals or refreshments at seminars. Please note: Lunch will not be offered during the Wednesday site exam. Participants will not be excused for lunch during the site exam and should plan to bring their own meal.

Participants will receive a copy of the presentations, presenter papers, publications, and other materials to supplement the lectures. The “Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams Manual”; and the book, "Dams and Public Safety," will be included.

Registration

DOI EMPLOYEES: DOI Employees are required to register and obtain supervisor approval in DOI Talent using the following steps:
  • Click on the "Find Learning" tab at the top of the page.
  • Click "Courses" and in the "Course Name" search field, type the keywords SEED Seminar.
  • Click on "Search."
  • Select "SEED Seminar" and "Request Approval."
  • The method of Payment is "No Payment Required."
This course requires supervisor approval. Once approved, employees will appear on the class roster. Registration will close by Friday, May 2, 2025. NON-DOI EMPLOYEES: For non-DOI registration, please fill out the registration form and return it to SEEDSeminar@usbr.gov no later than Friday, May 2, 2025. Registration is limited, and applications for attendance will receive consideration according to the order in which they are received.

Location

The seminar will be held at the Sheraton Denver West Hotel (360 Union Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80228). Lodging information will be announced soon.

Transportation

Participants will be responsible for their own transportation to and from Denver International Airport. Shuttle services are available Shuttle services are available (Super Shuttle, https://www.supershuttle.com/locations/denver-den/, Golden West Airport Shuttle, https://goldenwestairportshuttle.com), with a fare of $60+ each way for each passenger. Fares for Ride Share options such as Lyft or Uber are typically $70 - $90. The RTD Light Rail operates from the Denver International Airport to the Union Station in downtown Denver (A line). From Union Station, the W line provides a stop at the Denver Federal Center Station, within walking distance (less than 0.7 mile) to the above hotels. The fare is $10.50 for unlimited all day travel and is sold at kiosks at the rail station. Reclamation will provide transportation to and from the dam site during the field trip on Wednesday only.

Agenda

May 12, Monday - 7:30-4:30
  • Registration
  • Welcome and Opening Remarks
  • Background and Dam Safety Perspectives
  • Operation and Maintenance Perspectives
  • Lessons from Dam Incidents
  • Identification of Failure Modes
  • Geology and Dam Safety
  • Risk Assessment & Analysis for Dam Safety
May 13, Tuesday - 8:00-4:30
  • Examination of Embankment Dams
  • Examination of Concrete Dams
  • Toe Drains, Concrete Dam Drains and Structural Drains
  • Examination of Facility Emergency Preparedness
  • Instrumented Monitoring of Dams
  • Examination of Appurtenant Works
  • Mechanical Equipment Testing & Examination
  • Preparation for Field Examinations
May 14, Wednesday - 7:30-4:30
  • Field Examination of Dams (May be moved or canceled due to weather)
May 15, Thursday Morning - 8:00-11:35
  • Hydrologic Considerations
  • Dam Security
  • Emergency Action Planning
  • Early Warning Systems
  • Dam Safety Research (Hydraulics Lab)
  • Materials Engineering and Research Lab
May 15, Thursday Afternoon Concurrent Workshops - 12:30-4:30

Evaluation and Response to Seepage and Internal Erosion Concerns
  • Understanding Internal Erosion
  • Penetrating Structures
  • Case Histories
Engineering Geology and Site Investigation
  • Potential Failure Modes and Geology
  • UAS Drone Data Capture for Rockfall Difference Modeling
  • Geophysical Testing Tools
  • Investigation 101
  • Field Laboratory Testing
  • Construction Geology
Emergency Management
  • Exercise Design Process
  • Simulated Role-Playing Tabletop Exercise
  • Incident Management Strategies (Incident Command System)
May 16, Friday - 8:00-11:30
  • Seismic Hazard Studies for Dam Safety
  • Structural Modifications for Concrete Dams
  • Case Histories: Corrective Action for Embankment Dams
  • Closing
  • Optional: Lab Tour (12:30 - 2:30) For background information on our lab, watch the Bureau of Reclamation's YouTube video, Welcome to Reclamation's Hydraulics Laboratory.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Full seminar completion is approximately 3 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Each CEU equals 10 Professional Development Hours or 10 contact hours of instruction. Full seminar completion is approved for about 3 CEUs. Certificates of attendance will be available at the conclusion of the seminar. One must attend the field trip in order to be granted a certificate of attendance.

Further Information

If you have any questions regarding registration, please email SEEDSeminar@usbr.gov


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