36.14.404    OPERATION PLAN - RESERVOIR OPERATION PROCEDURES

(1) The reservoir operation procedures must describe the method and schedule of operation of the high-hazard dam and reservoir, which must include:

(a) procedures for safe drawdown rate of the reservoir;

(b) a description of the capabilities and limitations of the outlet facilities, spillways, and other dam appurtenances;

(c) a description of the authority granted to the dam tender and the training and direction or instruction necessary to properly and safely operate the gates and other dam appurtenances during normal, flood, and emergency conditions;

(d) a description of the availability of the dam tender, means of communication between the dam tender and his supervising authority, and method of gate operation, for example, manual, automatic, or remote control;

(e) a plan to monitor and anticipate unusual weather and hydrologic conditions and incorporate these conditions into the operation plan;

(f) a plan including the method and frequency for routine inspections conducted by an engineer, or owners or dam tender, at least once per year as well as inspections after critical events identified in the plan, for example, during and after heavy runoff, a severe rainstorm, a severe wind storm, or after an earthquake, and during periods of high storage. The plan must identify an inspection checklist and other directions to complete the required inspections. Inspections following critical events must be performed by an engineer, who may also be the owner or the dam tender, experienced in dam inspection. The completed inspection checklist and any other report must be maintained in the owner's records;

(g) a plan for permanent monitoring of the dam, for example, instrument installations, seepage collection systems, and water levels necessary to ensure the safe operation of the dam. The plan must identify the frequency of the data collection and the data value(s) that would constitute an unsafe or watch condition. If no monitoring is considered necessary, the reasons for this judgment must be stated; and

(h) a plan for interaction with operations of other dams and reservoirs, upstream and downstream, that may affect or be affected by the dam or reservoir operations during normal and emergency releases.

History: Sec. 85-15-110, MCA; IMP, Sec. 85-15-212, MCA; NEW, 1988 MAR p. 2489, Eff. 11/24/88.