(a) Owners of low, significant, and high hazard dams shall undertake the following maintenance activities aimed at promoting dam stability, and safe and consistent operating conditions:
- (1) Remove brush, trees, and woody growth from the dam, embankment, and spillway, as applicable, and 15 feet beyond the footprint of the dam. Stumps shall be cut flush to the ground. No trees or large vegetation shall be planted within 15 feet of the footprint of the dam;
- (2) Maintain and inspect gate components, valves, flashboards, and other mechanical equipment associated with operation of the dam;
- (3) Exercise any gate that is used to routinely control water levels;
- (4) Maintain adequate and suitable vegetation or other erosion-resistant ground cover to prevent the erosion of the earthen portions of the dam;
- (5) Control, remove, and exterminate rodents, and repair related damage;
- (6) Repair earthen embankments, vegetated spillways, and abutments to be free of erosion, depressions, sinkholes, or other deficiencies;
(7) Maintain the crest by:
- a. Maintaining a stable base that resists rutting or other damage from routine use and provides for safe access to operate and maintain the dam;
- b. Maintaining adequate grade control to prevent ponding and the concentration of surface runoff to unprotected areas; and
- c. Grading the crest to eliminate settled areas, depressions, and potholes by filling them with properly compacted material. Grading activities shall not result in raising or lowering the overall crest elevation;
(8) Maintain the intake of horizontal orifices to be free of debris by:
- a. Installing a trash rack or grates which shall be sloped or domed and not flat; and
- b. Incorporating a bar opening or bar spacing that shall be adequate to efficiently pass smaller debris through the outlet system, but prevent larger debris from entering and clogging the system; and
- (9) Repair concrete, wood, metal, and other materials.
Source. #13980, eff 5-24-24