Description

1) Dam Risks in Disasters: A Puerto Rico Case Study for Hurricane Fiona
Molly Finster, PhD, Argonne National Laboratory, mfinster@anl.gov
Co-presenters: Rosemarie Bradley, rosemarie.bradley@fema.dhs.gov; Carol Freeman, cfreeman@anl.gov ; Amanda Savitt, asavitt@anl.gov

Abstract: As the impact of climate change is felt across the United States, it's important that communities take steps to increase their resilience against extreme weather events, such as hurricanes. Part of this involves maintaining and improving key dam infrastructure, which are particularly susceptible to the excessive precipitation and flooding associated with these types of events. In September 2021, the FEMA National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) and National Integration Center (NIC) Technical Assistance Branch began a “Planning for Dam-Related Emergencies” Collaborative Technical Assistance (CTA) project in Puerto Rico, which focused on the Rio de la Plata Watershed. The CTA assisted communities at risk for flooding due to operational discharge or dam-related infrastructure failure gain a better understanding of the consequences of dam-related emergencies. Throughout the process, the CTA engaged participants in a facilitated process to build relationships, develop risk informed plans, and collaborate with community partners to achieve the goal of increased preparedness to dam-related hazards. The Puerto Rico CTA was completed in August 2022, just prior to the devastation caused by Hurricane Fiona. In response to the hurricane and as a follow-up to the CTA, FEMA deployed an Incident Specific Technical Assistance (ISTA) in Puerto Rico. In addition to better understanding the impacts of Hurricane Fiona on the island’s river systems and dams, including major rainfall and flooding in the Rio de la Plata Watershed, this session will walk attendees through a case study of how Puerto Rico responded to and dealt with the impacts of Hurricane Fiona. It will also investigate how the CTA process helped support local stakeholder planning and preparedness and identify what gaps may still exist. This post-CTA effort continues to help Puerto Rican communities at risk for dam-related emergencies better plan and prepare for future extreme weather events, thus improving overall resilience.

2) The FM Area Diversion Project: Dam Operation to Minimize Project-Induced Floodplain Impacts
Joel Paulsen, PE, CFM, Metro Flood Diversion Authority, Paulsenj@fmdiversion.gov
Co-presenters: Greg Thompson, gthompson@houstoneng.com; Jun Yang, PE, PhD;

Abstract: The Fargo-Moorhead Area Diversion Project is designed to protect the cities of Fargo and West Fargo, ND, Moorhead, MN, and the surrounding communities during times of extreme flooding. The Metro Flood Diversion Authority is partnering with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in the first federal USACE project to ever be implemented using a Public-Private Partnership (P3) delivery method. The roughly $3 billion project consists of a 30-mile-long stormwater diversion channel, a 20-mile-long dam embankment, levees and floodwalls throughout the cities, and additional mitigation features. The dam is designed to retain approximately 150,000 acre-feet of floodwater within a 40-square-mile upstream mitigation area through operation of gates on two upstream rivers and at the inlet of the diversion channel. The diversion channel will collect floodwaters from six rivers and provide certifiable flood protection for approximately 240 square miles of land and approximately 235,000 residents in North Dakota and Minnesota. The diversion channel has the capacity to pass the 100-year flow by itself; however without the flood storage from the dam, it would send an impactful flood wave to downstream communities. Therefore, a dynamic operation plan was developed to strategically store water in the dam that de-couples the timing of the arriving flood hydrograph from the uncontrolled hydrograph of the diversion channel, thereby matching the existing conditions flooding downstream of the project. This presentation will provide an overview of the project need and main project components, and then dive into the details of how the project will operate.

3) Dam Safety is a Shared Responsibility & The Nation's Infrastructure Depends On It
Kayed Lakhia, FEMA, kayed.lakhia@fema.dhs.gov
Co-presenters: none

Abstract: Dams are a critical part of the nation's infrastructure. Present in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Guam, dams provide many benefits to Americans, including bringing water, power, flood risk reduction, recreation, and economic opportunities to communities. Although the benefits of dams are many, there are risks associated with them which can be impacted by natural hazards, human-made threats, limited resources, and aging infrastructure while downstream and upstream populations are increasing. The average age of dams listed in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams is 61 years old. While the age of a dam is not necessarily a direct indicator of its condition, it could indicate that it was not built to today's standards. FEMA as the lead coordinating agency for National Dam Safety has updated its Strategic Plan and priorities to combat our dam infrastructure challenges. This initiative guides national dam safety and risk management efforts. It captures the essence of what has been identified by federal, state, and industry partners as transformational activities that will help improve practices and actions within dam safety programs across the nation. This 5-year strategy for growth is focused on tangible results of the increased funding under the 2022 IIJA Act for the NDSP to reduce risks to life, property, and the environment from dam failure by guiding public policy and leveraging industry best practices across the dam safety community. The Strategy considers changing climatic conditions and builds the foundation for what the program will look like in 5 years. This presentation will highlight the gaps, strategies, and priorities of the National Dam Safety Program in hopes of engaging and collaborating with other industry leaders.