NID Condition Assessment Ratings

State dam safety program responses to the following inquiry:
My question is related to interpretation and application of the criteria for a Poor Condition classification based on lack of critical design information. Below is a portion of a job aid that we have created to help [state] inspectors with assessing condition of a dam:

POOR CONDITION - A dam safety deficiency is recognized for loading conditions that may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. A poor condition may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters that identify a potential dam safety deficiency. Further investigations and studies are necessary. [Safety Order may need to be issued for High or Significant hazard potential dams with recognized deficiency especially if no progress is made on the issue.]

Examples:
1.Lack of maintenance has affected the integrity or the operation of the dam under normal conditions such that a remedial action is necessary; or
2.Spillway capacity < 25% of SDF; or Spillway capacity < 100-yr event (High and Significant Hazard Potential); or
3.Lack of critical design information to evaluate the potential performance of the dam (no design report and/or construction documentation on file with OSE-DSB).

I am just looking for a sense of how others interpret the documentation requirement. With the NRCS scanning design information for PL-566 dams for DamWatch we are beginning to see more design and construction information comes in from owners. I would like to apply consistent critical thinking in the review of that information.

Some of my questions are:
•Is the “critical design information” criteria a threshold for other states–a kind of a pass-fail sort of yardstick?
•How much is enough?
•If design or construction information is available does it have to meet current standards? (withspillway capacity being an exception; spillway capacity is not grandfathered in NM)
•In cases where design or construction info is limited but the dam has thus far performedadequately do inspectors err on the side of conservatism or give more weight to field observations?
•Do states only apply the documentation criteria when a potential deficiency is observed?

The ASDSO surveys archive is available to members through the members only section of DamSafety.org