| Dam safety
Left: Lake Brewster in New South Wales
that was extensively damaged during major flooding in late 2022. Crews working extended shifts successfully completed the most urgent repairs, including more than one kilometre of inlet channel, used to control water flow into the lake which is major water storage on the lower Lachlan River and an important pelican breeding area. The preliminary works at Lake Brewster are only the first in what will be an extensive rehabilitation process. Initial investigations indicate that much of the embankment network at the lake has incurred some degree of damage, and aerial inspections continue in consultation with dam safety experts to better understand the scale of the repair project.
US safety concerns The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
has embarked on a plan to address public safety and infrastructure concerns surrounding the Cornwall Flooding Dam. Earlier this year, the DNR announced its intention to draw down the impoundment behind the dam, and since then, it has been working with partners to secure funding and execute a detailed inspection. Such an inspection will enable DNR to gather comprehensive data to help identify the safest and most efficient course of action for the high hazard dam. Randy Claramunt, chief of the DNR Fisheries Division, stressed the crucial role of partner support and funding in determining the future of the Cornwall Flooding dam. “With additional support and more complete data, we can explore various options for high hazard dams like Cornwall,” Claramunt stated. Built in 1966, the Cornwall Flooding plays a significant role in the local community as an outdoor recreation spot for fishing, kayaking, and wildlife observation. It has been classified as high hazard by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy which means that a potential dam failure could result in severe damage to homes and infrastructure downstream, significant environmental degradation, and even loss of life. In the absence of funding, whether internal or
external, the DNR says it will still address safety concerns. Furthermore, it is currently conducting
evaluations of more than 200 other state-owned dams across Michigan. These evaluations aim to determine the most prudent actions moving forward, as the agency navigates the intricate considerations of environmental impact, social implications, safety concerns, and financial constraints associated with dam ownership, maintenance, and repair. Meanwhile, the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have announced the finalisation of a rule that will establish a credit assistance programme for dam safety projects. Known as the Corps Water Infrastructure Financing Programme (CWIFP), it aims to provide financial support in the form of direct loans and loan guarantees to non-federal dam safety projects. The CWIFP will focus on the maintenance, upgrade,
and repair of dams identified in the National Inventory of Dams, accelerating investments in water resources infrastructure. By offering long-term, low-cost loans with flexible repayment options to creditworthy borrowers, it aims to enhance dam safety, promote resilience, and generate financial savings for crucial infrastructure investments. “By expanding the tools for infrastructure financing,
the programme will accelerate completion of dam safety projects nationwide.” Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Michael Connor, said, adding that the initiative aims to support local communities and address the challenge of funding rehabilitation, improvement, and expansion of ageing civil works infrastructure, particularly dam infrastructure. The programme will prioritise projects benefiting economically disadvantaged communities, offering fee waivers and project financing of up to 80% of total project costs. USACE believes that the scheme will help address the nation’s significant challenge in financing dam infrastructure projects, and is an innovative approach to supporting infrastructure investment while reducing reliance on federal funding. It is expected to provide approximately US$7.5 billion in total project financing, supporting up to US$15 billion in infrastructure investment nationwide.
References
Independent External Peer Review of the Risk Policies and Methodologies for the US Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission can be downloaded at
https://publibrary.planusace. us/document/3b6ce218- 62d3-447b-c8af- 04ad2d2af780
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