U.S. Forest Service O&M Manual and EAP Templates

Challenges

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) operates and maintains over 1,500 dams located on national forests and grasslands.  As a dam owner, the USFS is responsible for ensuring its dams are maintained and operated safely.  However, USFS faces a unique set of challenges because its inventory consists primarily of small, geographically dispersed dams in remote locations that can be difficult to maintain with limited resources.

Solution

An important aspect of dam safety is developing Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manuals and Emergency Action Plans (EAP). RJH was retained to develop templates for O&M Manuals and EAPs for “typical” USFS dams that consist of small- to medium-sized (i.e., less than about 25 feet tall) earthen embankments.  The intent was that USFS staff could efficiently develop O&M Manuals and EAPs for specific dams using these templates.

RJH performed a literature search to identify and review existing EAP and O&M Manual templates from other USFS regions and other federal agencies. The O&M template included sample language on potential ways for the dam to be operated and a list of potential operational and maintenance requirements. A sample checklist was included for routine and annual maintenance activities. The EAP template included a sample notification chart, communication network process, and an emergency detection, evaluation, and classification process.

RJH worked collaboratively with the USFS to refine the templates as work progressed. Based on RJH’s successful completion of the templates, USFS expanded the scope to include completion of nine site-specific O&Ms and five site-specific EAPs. RJH also led tabletop exercises for five dams after completing the EAPs.