Resource
Ice-run failure of Spencer dam, USA
Resource Type
Industry Papers and Articles
Reference Title
Ice-run failure of Spencer dam, USA
Organization/Agency
Association of State Dam Safety Officials
International Commission on Large Dams
International Association for Hydraulic Research
International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage
International Hydropower Association
Publisher Name
Aqua-Media International
Year
2020
Journal Title
International Journal on Hydropower and Dams
Journal Volume
27
Journal Issue
4
ISBN/ISSN
ISSN: 1352-2523
Abstract/Additional Information
Spencer dam, a run-of-river hydropower dam on the Niobrara river in northern Nebraska, failed during a major river ice run on 14 March 2019. The dam’s failure sparked an investigation that provided useful findings and lessons for the design and operation of similar dams located on rivers subject to major ice runs. The investigation was conducted by the authors of this paper, who formed a panel appointed by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO), an organization serving the dam-safety community in the USA. This paper presents some key findings regarding ice and the failure of Spencer dam.
