Conference Papers | 2009 Conference Papers

OPERATION OF SPILLWAY GATES – HOW TO AVOID THE PROBLEMS AND PITFALLS

Peter Allen, Director Dam Safety, DERM

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ABSTRACT

The regulation of dam safety in Queensland is administered by the Dam Safety group of the Department of Environment and Resource Management. The department applies dam safety conditions to dams that would put lives at risk if they were to fail. Spillway gates allow the dam owner some flexibility in the operation of a dam both in terms of flood operations and for environmental releases. However, this flexibility comes at a cost. They require ongoing preparedness and trained personnel need to be on hand at all times.

The paper details how spillway gates are normally operated; the systems and training necessary to operate spillway gates effectively; the regulatory arrangements that apply to referable dams in Queensland; some of the problems encountered and how to avoid these problems.

KEY WORDS

Referable dams, Spillway gates, Regulation of gated spillways, Incidents at gated dams