GZA Main menu SERVICES WE PROVIDE Dams & Levees Since GZA's inception in 1964, dam safety engineering has been one of our core disciplines. We have partnered with clients to help with projects ranging from small, former mill pond dams to large, high-hazard water supply dams, to FERC- regulated hydropower dams, to USACE-built levee systems. Matthew Taylor, P.E. WATER & DAMS AND LEVEES 781-278-5803 Email Me Image On this page: Overview Focus Areas Featured Projects Related Insights GZA has been involved in site inspections, investigations, design, construction, removal, and seismic evaluation of more than 1,000 dams throughout the United States. We bring you a full range of technical expertise and cost-effective solutions through our integrated approach to dam and levee safety, geotechnical engineering, water resources, civil engineering, and natural resources. GZA is a recognized leader in the dam safety field and an active member in the leading professional societies/associations such as the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO), US Society on Dams (USSD) and National Hydropower Association (NHA). We get your market. Public & Private Water Suppliers Federal, State and Local Government Agencies Power Private Dam Owners Industrial and Commercial Impoundment Owners Visual Inspections Our visual inspections combine a review of available information and actual field conditions to generate a real-time evaluation of a dam/levee's condition and identification of dam/levee safety and maintenance needs. A GZA field reconnaissance effort for a dam safety or levee inspection is always performed by a Registered Professional Engineer. We typically utilize a team of two engineers for efficiency and safety. During the field visit, notes are taken on the standard checklist, digital photos are taken, and a site sketch is prepared. Our reports present information on the physical characteristics of the dam/levee and any deficiencies observed in the various components utilizing the report format, checklists, etc., in accordance with the specific regulatory agency's requirements. The main goals of our inspection reports are: 1) document the condition of the structure and 2) present our recommendations for improving safety, maintenance, and operability. Expertise Rope Access Inspections Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) Inspections Dive Inspections State Regulatory Dam Safety Inspections FERC Part 12 Safety Inspections USACE Periodic Levee Inspections Engineering Evaluations and Assessment Our engineering evaluations are performed to evaluate hydrologic, hydraulic, geotechnical, and structural elements of the dam to determine if the structure is "compliant" or if remedial measures are required. Our dam and levee safety engineering evaluations are typically identified during our visual inspections. GZA's dam and levee safety engineers are well-versed in all aspects of hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) analyses, geotechnical and structural evaluations, and gates and valves assessments. Our engineering evaluations are performed to determine if the dam/levee complies with current regulatory requirements and/or generally accepted dam/levee safety guidelines. We are very familiar with the state and federal dam safety regulations as well as dam/levee safety design guidelines published by the USACE, FERC and USBR. Expertise Hydrologic & Hydraulic Analyses Geotechnical Engineering Analyses Structural Engineering Analyses Gates and Valve Evaluations Risk and Reliability Evaluations Design & Construction Services GZA’s design experience includes remediation and rehabilitation of earthen, stone masonry, timber and concrete dams and earthen levees and concrete floodwalls. Utilizing the results of our visual inspections and engineering evaluations, GZA's dam and levee safety engineers perform comprehensive design services for our dam and levee clients. We routinely expand our engineering evaluations to the design phase of the project during a preliminary design phase where alternatives are developed and evaluated. The preferred alternatives are chosen in a collaborative manner with our clients in a way that accounts for many factors, which include safety, cost, schedule, operations, and maintenance considerations. Our design packages vary with the size and scale of the project, typically ranging from a limited number of drawings with construction notes to a comprehensive design that involves 30%,60%, 90% and 100% design plans, specifications, costs estimates and construction schedule submittals, followed by complete bid support services. Our involvement during construction ranges from part-time construction observation services during critical phases of the work to complete construction administration services including full time resident engineering, submittal review, RFI response, pay requisition review and record plan development. Expertise Tree Removal Riprap Toe/Blanket Drains Spillway Augmentation Overtopping & Scour Protection Low-Level Outlet Expansion Stability Berms Anchors and Toe Buttresses Relief Wells Foundation Grouting Concrete Repairs Stone Masonry Repointing Design Services During Construction Resident Engineering Emergency Action Planning and Inundation Mapping Our emergency action planning and inundation mapping services combine the skills of our water resource engineers with our data management experts to generate efficient and easily understood emergency response documents for our clients. Over the past 25 years, GZA has prepared EAPs for over 100 high and significant hazard dams located throughout the United States. Enormous potential energy contained in the waters of large reservoirs can cause extensive loss of life and property. Recent countrywide experiences have shown that a small dam breach can have catastrophic consequences. Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) are necessary to help respond to emergency situations associated with a sudden, rapid and uncontrolled release of water. EAPs set forth the basic procedures, duties, and responsibilities to be implemented by dam owners, operators, and key public safety personnel in the event of dam failure. The major components of an EAP include detailed procedures for emergency identification, repair, notification, and evacuation as defined in FEMA's benchmark document, Publication P-64-Federal Guidelines for Emergency Action Planning for Dam. A challenging element of this work is the dam breach simulation and floodwave routing, which are vital to the development of Inundation Maps. GZA's staff of engineers and hydrologists is well-versed in the use of the USACE's computer simulation software, HEC-RAS, and performing complex and dynamic modeling. GZA has extensive experience producing CAD and GIS-derived color Inundation Maps. Expertise HEC-RAS Modeling DSS-Wise Modeling ArcGIS EAP Orientation and Table-Top Exercises Hydropower GZA has provided hydropower engineering services at projects from 40 kW to 900 MW in size. Our hydropower services are comprehensive, extending from feasibility studies, preliminary resource assessments, and licensing to engineering design including turbine selection and powerhouse design to FERC compliance activities include relicensing, permitting, environmental studies, FERC Part 12D Safety Inspections, PFMA Facilitation and EAP Training Exercises Work scope includes the full range of studies and design tasks to assist in the assessment and development of hydropower projects from conception to commissioning. This includes turbine selection and physical/structural upgrades of the powerhouse and related appurtenant facilities. GZA is experienced in the FERC hydropower licensing process. GZA is a strong client advocate and our approach to licensing issues is to provide solutions which are in the best interest of the project proponent, but we also recognize that listening carefully to both government and regulatory stakeholders can reduce contention and speed the licensing process. GZA has a wealth of experience performing invasive species investigations and monitoring and developing invasive species control plans. We are experienced in developing Exhibit F and G drawings in accordance with FERC regulations that FERC has approved. Our multi-disciplinary capabilities allow us to handle almost all aspects of FERC licensing with in-house staff. Expertise Preliminary Resource Assessments Feasibility Studies Facility Condition Assessments LIHI Files Turbine Selection Part 12 Safety Inspections Potential Failure Mode Analyses Dam Safety Surveillance and Monitoring Plans & Reports Fish and Eel Passage Design EAPs FERC Licensing & Relicensing Dam Removal & Stream Restoration GZA has been a pioneer in assisting owners with dam removal and stream restoration. In some cases, an owner may find that the a dam no longer serves its intended function and no longer is an asset. GZA provides expertise for feasibility studies, permitting, environmental impact reporting, design and construction for removal of dams as proactive means for sound environmental restoration. Using our combined skills in natural resource sciences and engineering, GZA is an industry leader in this rapidly developing field, having successfully removed more than a dozen dams. Our clients have realized a reduction of operating costs and safety risks associated with removing their aging dams and the public has benefited from the conversion of these previously dammed streams to free-flowing conditions. Stream stabilization has become “softer” throughout the years, focusing on bio-engineered methods in lieu of reinforced concrete or other more traditional stabilization methods. Our experience in this field enables us to provide more natural stabilization solutions which better address bank erosion, sediment loading, and water quality issues while also restoring critical aquatic habitats and fish passage such that streams return to equilibrium with their natural surroundings. GZA has extensive experience in stream assessment and restoration design. We have experience in EPA rapid bio-assessment and Rosgen stream classification protocols in addition to having technical experts in fisheries, aquatic invertebrates, aquatic macrophytes, wetlands, and herpetiles. GZA engineers are also accomplished in stream stabilization and restoration design. Riverine services include stream assessment, stream habitat, stream restoration and design, invertebrate surveys, fisheries services, fish and wildlife passage design and stream habitat / continuity assessment. Expertise Sediment Transport Analysis Sediment Management Plans Fluvial Geomorphology Our work speaks for itself Explore All Projects Previous Upper Roberts Meadow Reservoir Dam Breach and Stream Restoration Project Markets Water Government Services Dams & Levees Natural Resources Siting & Permitting Environmental Site Investigation & Remediation Location Massachusetts Next 1/3 Related to Dams & Levees BLOG Why You Might See A GZA Engineer Climbing A Cliff If you’re driving by a major dam one day, or driving down the highway looking at a cliff, you wouldn’t expect to see someone rappelling down the front of it. Yet that’s all in a day’s work for a dam... BLOG Case Study: Swan Pond Swan Pond is a 2-acre pond formed near the headwaters of Meadow Brook in Springfield, Massachusetts, within the city’s 734-acre Forest Park. The Main Greeting Road into Forest Park crosses the 45 foot... ARTICLE Peterson Pond Dam Update – Part 1 Lori Wolfe, of the North and South Rivers Watershed Association, discusses the Peterson Pond Dam removal, which our dams team served as a consultant on. ARTICLE East and West Michigan Air and Waste Management Association and ELS 2020 Virtual Joint Conference Session 4 - Dam Failures And High Water GZA is proud to sponsor this presentation! Presenters include: Anders Bjarngard & Yixing Yuan, GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. Adam Monroe, Consumers Energy Luke Trumble, Michigan Department of Environment... View All Insights Your success is ours. Tell us about your project. Matthew Taylor, P.E. 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