Western Dam Engineering Technical Note

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note Back Issues

This newsletter is meant as an educational resource tool for civil engineers who practice primarily in rural areas of western United States. This publication will present technical articles specific to the design, inspection, safety, and construction of small dams. This publication provides general information. The reader is encouraged to use the references cited and engage other technical experts as appropriate.

The Western Dam Engineering Technical Note is sponsored by the following agencies:

Colorado Division of Water Resources
Montana Department of Natural Resources
New Mexico Office of the State Engineer
Wyoming State Engineer's Office

Funding for the Western Dam Engineering Technical Note is provided by the FEMA National Dam Safety Act Assistance to States grant program.

Latest Issue!

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 10.2, May 2024

Using Risk to Manage Your Dam Inventory
Preparation of Subsurface Investigation Plans for Embankment Dams and Levees

Archived Issues

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 10.1, October 2023

Foundation Preparation and Treatment
Rain on Snow Modeling

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 9.2, December 2021

What the Flow!! Analyzing Seepage in Embankment Dams
CFD 101 - CFD as a Design Tool: What does CFD Bring to a Dam and Spillway Project?

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 9.1, July 2021

Dam Decommissioning - Considerations and Keys to Success
Complex Decisions Don't Require Complex Tools - Alternatives Analysis Using a Multi Criteria Decision Tool

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 8.1, July 2020

Assessment and Rehabilitation Following an Internal Erosion Incident
How Dewatering Can Derail Construction Projects

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 7.1, October 2019

Wise Up: DSS-WISETM LITE as an Alternative Method for Breach Analysis and Consequence Estimation
A Tool for Every Job: Statewide Probable Maximum and Extreme Precipitation Estimation

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 6.2, August 2018

What the HEC? - Selecting the Best HEC model for the Job
Factoring for Human Factors in Dam Safety Incidents and Failures
Abandonment of Low-Level Outlet Conduits, Think it Through Before You Grout it Through

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 6.1, April 2018

Risky Business - Introduction to Dam Safety Risk Assessment
When Spills Go Their Own Way - Evaluations of Concrete-Lined Spillways
Retrofitting Dams for Small Hydro

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 5.2, August 2017

Employing Unmanned Aircraft Systems in Dam Inspection
Overtopping Protection of Embankment Dams
Cellular Grout Use in Conduit Sliplining
Mechanical Seals for Conduit Repair

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 5.1, May 2017

Thinking Fast - Emergency Response to Seepage and Internal Erosion
Calibration, Validation, and Verification: Bringing More Certainty to the Uncertainty of Hydrologic Modeling Results
Inspecting Corrugated Metal Pipes in Embankment Dams

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 4.2, August 2016

Dam, You're Getting Old! - Understanding and Managing the Risks of Aging Dams
Retrofitting Old Dams to Address New Hydrologic Inadequacies
Internal Erosion: Issues Just Below the Surface

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 4.1, May 2016

Dam Engineering in the Palm of Your Hand - Mobile Apps for the Modern Day Engineer
You Down with CIPP? - Yeah! You Know Me!
Is Your Embankment Dam under Pressure - Underseepage Impacts

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 3.3, July 2015

Spillways: Spilling the Right Way
Water on Tap: Design Considerations for Outlet Control
Does Your Dam Measure Up? Instrumentation for Small Earth Dams

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 3.2, May 2015

Dam Safety Inspections...A Closer Look
Spillways on Small Dams
Geology 101 - Dam Good Foundations

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 3.1, February 2015

Sinkholes: The Hole Story - Issues are Deeper than You Think
Letting it All Out: Hydraulic Design of Outlet Works
Soil Characterization (Part 3) - Shear Strength Characterization for Slope Stability Analyses

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 2.3, October 2014

Soil Characterization (Part 2) - Laboratory and Field Shear Strength Testing
How Low Can You Go? The Needs and Considerations for Outlets
Dam Overtopping Failures - Lessons Learned from the September 2013 Colorado Flood Event

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 2.2, July 2014

Soil Characterization - Here's the Dirt (Part 1)
What the Heck Should Be in My Spec? Part 3: The Devil is in the Details -
Specification Tips to Help Your Job Run Smoothly
You Con-du-it; How to Fix a Leaky Pipe

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 2.1, April 2014

Poking the Bear: Drilling and Sampling for Embankment Dams
Turning Rainfall to Runoff: Estimating Flood Inflows
What the Heck Should Be in My Spec? Part 2: Writing and Utilizing "Team-Effort" Specifications

Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, 1.3, November 2013