Theme 5 - Risk and hazard assessment

Reservoir safety research advisory group (ReSRAG)

Research Theme: Risk and hazard assessment

ReSRAG Theme Lead: Alan Brown; Support: Mark Morris

Relevant ICOLD committees and UK representatives	Committee A: Computational Aspects of Analysis and Design of Dams – Loizos Pelecanos Committee D: Concrete Dams – Malcolm Dunstan Committee E: Embankment Dams – Rod Bridle / Alan Brown Committee H: Dam Safety – Andy Hughes Committee L: Tailings Dams and Waste Lagoons – Rafael Monroy Committee S: Flood evaluation and Dam Safety Committee LE: Levees – Jonathan Simm EWG Overflowing and overtopping erosion – Mark Morris
Key UK guidance documents	Guide to risk assessment for reservoir safety management, Environment Agency (2013). Report SC090001 Operational Safety of Dams and Reservoirs: Understanding the reliability of flow-control systems. Desmond ND Hartford, Gregory B Baecher, P Andy Zielinski, Robert C Patev, Romanas Ascila and Karl Rytters. Institution of Civil Engineers (2016). ICE, 400pp. Managing risks to the public: appraisal guidance. HM Treasury (2005) 62pp. Reducing risks, protecting people. Health & Safety Executive (2001). HSE, 74pp. Risk and uncertainty in dam safety. Desmond ND Hartford, Gregory B Baecher. Institution of Civil Engineers (2004). ICE, 391pp.
UK papers	Refer to the BDS bibliography for all reservoir-related technical papers
Key ICOLD bulletins	B167 - Regulation of Dam Safety: An overview of current practice world wide (pre-print) B130 - Risk Assessment in Dam Safety Management. A Reconnaissance of Benefits. Methods and Current Applications (2005) B059 - Dam safety ‐ Guidelines (1987) B029 - Report from the Committee on Risks to Third Parties from Large Dams (1977)
Relevant BDS evening meetings	Dam Safety: Risk Assessment and Governance - An Australian Perspective (2016) A Guide to Risk Assessment for UK Reservoirs (2012) Reservoir Risk Classification (2012)
Current UK research	No specific research activity at present. Research to improve understanding of probability of failure is / should be embodied into any research into engineering performance. Research to improve understanding of consequences / flood damaged is covered under the DEFRA / Environment Agency joint research programme.
Recent and current international research	Breach assessment EA R&D FRS17071 - Scoping research to improve dam and levee breach prediction has just been completed due to be published imminently. Laboratory and Field trials in Spain ongoing under direction of the EWG Overflowing and overtopping erosion working group.
Key international publications and guides	World bank Operational Manual OP 4.37 - Safety of Dams Risk Management Best Practices and Risk Methodology. Bureau of Reclamation (2019) https://www.usbr.gov/ssle/damsafety/risk/methodology.html Guidelines on Risk assessment. ANCOLD (2003). 156pp For additional references, refer to ICOLD bulletins