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, V9n2, 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?
Archived Issues
Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, V1n1, March 2013 (corrected)
Simple Siphoning
Low-Level Conduits, Rehab or Replace
Filter Design & Construction
Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, V1n2, July 2013 (corrected)
Wave Runup on Dam Slopes
Riprap Protection against Wave Action
Outlet Works Air Vent Design
Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, V1n3, November 2013
Embankment Dam Slope Stability 101
When it Rains Does it Pour? Design Precipitation Depths for Dam Safety
What the Heck Should Be in My Spec? Part 1: Earthwork Considerations
Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, V2n1, 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, V2n2, 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, V2n3, 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, V3n1, 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, V3n2, May 2015
Dam Safety Inspections...A Closer Look
Spillways on Small Dams
Geology 101 - Dam Good Foundations
Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, V3n3, 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, V4n1, 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, V4n2, 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, V5n1, 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, V5n2, 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, V6n1, 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, V6n2, 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, V7n1, 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, V8n1, July 2020
Assessment and Rehabilitation Following an Internal Erosion Incident
How Dewatering Can Derail Construction Projects
Western Dam Engineering Technical Note, V9n1, July 2021
Dam Decommissioning - Considerations and Keys to Success
Complex Decisions Don't Require Complex Tools - Alternatives Analysis Using a Multi Criteria Decision Tool
