Section 54. Dam break inundation zone mapping

A. Dam break inundation zone maps and analyses shall be provided to the department, except as provided for in 4VAC50-20-51, to meet the requirements set out in 4VAC50-20-40, 4VAC50-20-175, and 4VAC50-20-177, as applicable. In accordance with subsection G of this section, a simplified dam break inundation zone map and analysis may be completed by the department and shall be provided to the impounding structure's owner to assist such owner in complying with the requirements of this chapter. All analyses shall be completed in accordance with 4VAC50-20-20 D.

B. The location of the end of the inundation mapping should be indicated where the water surface elevation of the dam break inundation zone and the water surface elevation of the spillway design flood during an impounding structure nonfailure event converge to within one foot of each other. The inundation maps shall be supplemented with water surface profiles showing the peak water surface elevation prior to failure and the peak water surface elevation after failure.

C. All inundation zone map(s) shall be signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer.

D. Present and planned land-use for which a development plan has been officially approved by the locality in the dam break inundation zones downstream from the impounding structure shall be considered in determining the classification.

E. For determining the hazard potential classification, an analysis including, but not limited to, those hazards created by flood and nonflood dam failures shall be considered. At a minimum, the following shall be provided to the department:

1. A sunny day dam break analysis utilizing the volume retained at the normal or typical water surface elevation of the impounding structure;

2. A dam break analysis utilizing the spillway design flood with a dam failure;

3. An analysis utilizing the spillway design flood without a dam failure; and

4. A dam break analysis utilizing the probable maximum flood with a dam failure.

F. To meet the Emergency Action Plan requirements set out in 4VAC50-20-175 and the Emergency Preparedness Plan requirements set out in 4VAC50-20-177, all owners of impounding structures shall provide dam break inundation zone map(s) representing the impacts that would occur with both a sunny day dam failure and a probable maximum flood with a dam failure.

1. The map(s) shall be developed at a scale sufficient to graphically display downstream inhabited areas and structures, roads, public utilities that may be affected, and other pertinent structures within the identified inundation area. In coordination with the local organization for emergency management, a list of downstream inundation zone property owners and occupants, including telephone numbers may be plotted on the map or may be provided with the map for reference during an emergency.

2. Each map shall include the following statement: "The information contained in this map is prepared for use in notification of downstream property owners by emergency management personnel."

Should the department prepare a dam break inundation zone map and analysis in response to a request received pursuant to 4VAC50-20-40 C, the owner shall utilize this map to prepare a plan in accordance with this subsection.

G. Upon receipt of a written request in accordance with 4VAC50-20-40 C and receipt of a payment in accordance with 4VAC50-20-395, the department shall conduct a simplified dam break inundation zone analysis. In conducting the analysis, a model acceptable to the department shall be utilized. The analysis shall result in maps produced as Geographic Information System shape files for viewing and analyzing and shall meet the other analysis criteria of this section.

Upon completion of the analysis, the department shall issue a letter to the owner communicating the results of the analysis including the dam break inundation zone map, stipulating the department's finding regarding hazard potential classification based on the information available to the department, and explaining what the owner needs to do procedurally with this information to be compliant with the requirements of the Dam Safety Act (§ 10.1-604 et seq.) and this chapter.

Historical Notes

Derived from Volume 24, Issue 25, eff. September 26, 2008; amended, Virginia Register Volume 29, Issue 02, eff. November 8, 2012.

Statutory Authority

§ 10.1-605 of the Code of Virginia.