- Reclamation
- Dam Safety and Infrastructure
- Dam Safety
- Training
- SEED Training
Seminar on Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams
2024 DOMESTIC SEED SEMINAR
***Notice***
The Domestic Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams (SEED) Seminar will be held April 29 to May 3, 2024.
Please send an email to SEEDSeminar@usbr.gov with any questions.
For the International Seminar, please visit http://www.usbr.gov/international/seminars.html
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. A lunch option for a fee will be offered during the Wednesday site exam; however, participants are under no obligation to purchase the lunch. Please note, participants will not be excused for lunch during the site exam and should plan to bring their own meal if not purchasing the lunch provided.
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
At this time, registration is not open. Registration will be limited, and applications for attendance will receive consideration according to the order in which they are received. Please email SEEDSeminar@usbr.gov if you would like to be notified when registration is open. 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."
Location
The seminar will be held at the Sheraton Denver West Hotel (360 Union Blvd., Lakewood, CO 80228) Note: Check-in for the training seminar begins on Monday, April 29th at 7:30a.m., and the training seminar extends until May 3rd at noon. A room reservation beginning Sunday, April 28th is advised. If desired, attendees can book at the Sheraton Denver West for the group rate of $129. You can make a reservation by calling. These rooms are only on hold until April 12, 2024. Rooms are also available at several nearby hotels incluing:. These rooms are only on hold until April 17, 2023. Rooms are also available at several nearby hotels at the government rate of $199 per night single occupancy (before taxes). Hotels proximate to the seminar location include:- Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Denver West/Federal Center
- Hampton Inn Denver West Federal Center
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Denver West - Lakewood
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Denver West - Federal Center, CO
Transportation
Participants will be responsible for their own transportation to and from Denver International Airport. 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 $45 - $60. 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
April 29, 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
- 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
- Field Examination of Dams (May be moved or canceled due to weather)
- Hydrologic Considerations
- Dam Security
- Emergency Action Planning
- Early Warning Systems
- Dam Safety Research (Hydraulics Lab)
- Materials Engineering and Research Lab
Evaluation and Response to Seepage and Internal Erosion Concerns
- Understanding Internal Erosion
- Penetrating Structures
- Case Histories
- Potential Failure Modes and Geology
- UAS Drone Data Capture for Rockfall Difference Modeling
- Geophysical Testing Tools
- Investigation 101
- Field and Laboratory Testing
- Construction Geology
- Exercise Design Process
- Simulated Role-Playing Tabletop Exercise
- Incident Management Strategies (Incident Command System)
- 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.
