theoklahomawaterresourcesboard(owrb)coordinatesthe.docVIP

Oklahoma’s Hazards: Dam Failures As with any location in which man-made structures are built, potential failure of the structure could place lives and property at risk. During the past two years, at least 21 dam failures have occurred in the United States. The best way to minimize potential failure is to identify structures whose failure could cause the greatest loss of life and/or property, and to require those structures to undergo a rigorous inspection regime. Such is the case in Oklahoma. From a hazard management perspective, the most significant structures are those categorized as high-hazard dams. This designation relates solely to potential impacts of a structural breach; it is not an indication of the quality of construction or maintenance. The Oklahoma Water Resources Board (OWRB) coordinates the Oklahoma Dam Safety Program to ensure the safety of more than 4,500 dams in the state which fall within its jurisdiction, especially those that could impact downstream life and property. Dams falling within the OWRB’s jurisdiction are non-federally constructed and maintained dams which are: 1) greater than 6 feet in height with storage capacities of 50 acre-feet or more; and/or 25 feet or greater in height with storage capacities of 15 acre-feet or more. The program requires inspections every five and three years for low and significant hazard structures, respectively. It requires annual inspection of the states high-hazard dams, so designated due to the presence of one or more habitable structures downstream with loss of life likely to occur if a dam were to fail. There are 184 high-hazard dams in Oklahoma, which number includes federally constructed and maintained dams that are not regulated by the OWRB. The Water Board requires submittal and subsequent approval of plans and specifications prior to dam construction or modifications to ensure the structures will meet minimum dam safety standards. OWRB staff also coordinates periodic training sessions and work