ESRL/PSD Seminar Series
Colorado Dam Performance During the September 2013 Floods as Context for Discussion of On-going Efforts to Modernize Dam Design Standards to Accommodate Extreme Rainfall Events.
Bill McCormick
P.E., P.G. Chief, Colorado Dam Safety Branch
Abstract
The rainfall and flooding along the Front Range of Colorado in September 2013 were historic but not unprecedented. Dams in the affected areas performed predictably, including nine small, lower-consequence dams failing, and many large, high-consequence dams being tested with more positive outcomes. This event highlighted the influence of dams and safe storage of water on and for Colorado communities. This presentation will take a look at the performance of dams during the Sept 2013 and using that context of an extreme hydrologic event, describe current efforts to utilize the best modern science and engineering methods to ensure safe dams for current and future beneficial uses in Colorado and elsewhere.
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