Proper Dam Surveillance

ICOLD Bulletin 158

Dam Surveillance Guideline states that:

“Dams are among the human achievements that while providing great benefits also create a potential risk to neighbouring populations, property, and the natural environment. Although the consequences of dam failure can be significant, in all but a few instances the probability of failure is very low.

The intrinsic risk of dam failure, consisting of consequences multiplied by the probability of occurrence of an event, is difficult to quantify accurately. Nevertheless, dam surveillance can help reduce the risk by the early detection of undesirable events. Any surveillance process should aim to reduce the probability of failure by:

• Documenting the behavior of the dam, its foundation and other components;
• Utilising identified potential failure modes and the associated levels of risk;
• Preparing and implementing Emergency Action Plans appropriate for the dam and its consequences of failure; and
• Implementing a program that can detect early the development of significant failure modes.

However, the owner has the main responsibility for all aspects of dam safety including reducing the consequences of any dam failure.

The objective of dam surveillance is to make a timely and precise diagnosis of dam behavior that allows for the prevention of undesirable consequences. The monitoring system and surveillance programme have to be designed or redesigned considering potential failure modes associated with the higher levels of risk. They should be able to identify any abnormal behavior which could lead to potential reduction of safety.”

Experience has shown that proper surveillance and its various components are in most cases not properly executed at South African dams. It has also been shown that without proper operation and maintenance, effective surveillance would not be possible.

Following similar training courses by SANCOLD in 2018 and 2022, the need was expressed by the industry for another similar training workshop on “Proper dam surveillance including operation and maintenance” to be hosted by SANCOLD. All stakeholders involved with the operation and maintenance of dams will benefit from this training workshop especially dam owners and APPs.

PROGRAMME

9 – 10 November 2026  |  Classroom Training

• Dam safety and dam surveillance principles
• Potential failure modes
• Monitoring basics including the art of measurements and proper instrument maintenance, including practical experience at the dams
• Inspection basics including detailed inspection of the dams
• Proper operation and maintenance
• Data file and data management
• Assessment of dam behaviour including proper interpretation of surveillance information

PRESENTER

Louis Hattingh

Louis Hattingh is a dam safety specialist with more than 34 years’ experience. He is pre-approved on the register of Approved Professional Persons according to the South African Dam Safety Regulations to perform dam safety evaluations for concrete arch, concrete gravity/buttress and earthfill embankment dams for the highest dams. He is a past chairman of the ICOLD technical committee on dam surveillance. Louis is widely recognized as a leading trainer and hosts workshops and technical courses on dam safety including dam surveillance for a range of government institutions, universities and professional bodies across Africa.

REGISTRATION FEES

R5000.00 per delegate

CPD POINTS

2 CPD points (Accredited)