| Condition monitoring


While outdated or poorly maintained technology


can result in incomplete data, modern systems capture comprehensive data to give the full picture of the dam’s behaviour over time. Fully automated and permanent installations provide continuous data without human intervention, an often-necessary approach for high-risk or remote sites. Robotic total stations, a key technology in such


systems, automatically measure prisms installed on the dam, delivering high-accuracy 3D coordinates to track surface displacements. Additionally, GNSS technology offers absolute 3D position data, which is vital for monitoring remote assets or confirming the stability of any reference network used. A wide array of geotechnical sensors is typically


integrated to understand the structural health of the dam and adjacent assets. These include piezometers to measure water pressure, tiltmeters for rotation, strain gauges for load and stress, and crack gauges for expansion and contraction. Many can be deployed as part of a wireless mesh network, simplifying installation. To ensure reliability, these systems can use solar power with battery backup should the direct supply fail. The East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) in California demonstrates the benefit of a modern system. After severe storms, EBMUD installed one of the nation’s most advanced automated GNSS systems at its Pardee and Camanche reservoirs. The monitoring solution reports crest elevations remotely, helping EBMUD reduce the time needed for surveys. Its value was proven when, after a 4.4 magnitude earthquake, engineers were able to log in to the system remotely and immediately confirm that there had been no significant movement on the dam. Moreover, the automated system helps them meet state monitoring requirements since it can be more easily tied into state-wide emergency and seismic monitoring systems.


Staff & resource optimisation A significant challenge for dam owners is the need


for high-quality monitoring data, which often requires advanced skills, substantial resources, and careful


planning. With limited access to large teams for frequent manual surveys – particularly at remote locations – automation has become an essential solution to ensure dams remain safe and compliant. These challenges arise from a combination of factors, including resource constraints, specialised expertise, and the inherent risks involved, rather than shortcomings on the part of dam operators. One example of this is Enel Green Power, a multinational renewable energy company. Four of their hydroelectric plants in Italy and Spain were struggling with scheduling and availability to obtain manual deformation measurements, leading to a lack of continuity. So, they installed an automated GNSS monitoring system, which now provides continuous, 24/7 data on the structural health of the dams, eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming long-distance travel for manual checks. It allowed them to correlate geodetic data with


geotechnical sensors, creating a more detailed and complete description of any deformation. Importantly, the new system provides data about the infrastructure’s condition all the time, not just when survey crews are available.


Learning from the data Monitoring systems, however, provide data that


does more than mitigate risks – they can also shape the future of dam construction. Automated systems provide rich datasets that can validate the original design assumptions or highlight areas where future designs could be improved, saving long-term costs and increasing safety. This is because the large amount of data collected


by automated systems allows engineers to understand the true, dynamic behaviour of a dam under various real-world loads. Viewing monitoring as a design validation tool facilitates safer, more efficient, and more resilient dams. Ultimately, effective monitoring enables operators


and regulators to dynamically understand and manage risk, keep dams safe, and ensure regulatory compliance.


www.waterpowermagazine.com | November 2025 | 25


Above: Grand Maison Dam in France Photo courtesy of EDF Hydro DTG


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