Planning for a Dam Emergency

1. Obtain information on the dam
2. Prepare dam breach inundation maps or evaluate existing ones
3. Identify incidents at the dam that would require action
4. Identify all individuals with roles in the EAP
5. Develop notification plan
6. Develop a draft of the EAP
7. Obtain feedback on draft EAP
8. Finalize EAP and distribute to copy holders

Above is the recommended process for preparing an EAP. More details on the process can be found in the “Guidelines for Emergency Action Plans and Inundation Maps,” starting on page 4, Figure 2.1.

A safety evaluation must be completed as part of the Five-Year Dam Evaluation. The safety evaluation includes a review of emergency planning procedures employed by the dam owner as documented in the EAP.

The engineer should review the following required information:

• 24-hour contact information for local county officials, a professional engineer who is familiar with the dam, Montana Dam Safety engineers, and key dam owner representatives.
• A list of local contractors that can provide assistance and materials during an emergency.
• Evacuation or inundation maps that show structures, roads, and other infrastructure that would be impacted during a dam failure.
• Information pertaining to evacuation scenarios for non-failure high flow situations (if warranted).

The engineer is also directed to list any key information that is missing from the EAP and provide recommendations for improvement of the plan.

To learn more about what is required as part of the Five-Year Review of the EAP, please review the “Guidelines for Emergency Action Plans and Inundation Maps,” starting on page 18, Section 3.2.

NOTE:  DNRC cannot renew an operation permit unless the EAP has undergone this comprehensive review.  We recommend you start this process early in the year to not hold up permit renewal.

Review the EAP, call key players, and verify their contact information.

Incorporate changes (if needed) and email or mail the EAP to all plan holders. If there are no changes needed, an email should still be sent to notify all plan holders that a review was done and no changes were needed. This will make sure that everyone is aware of the plan and serve as verification to DNRC that the EAP has been reviewed.

NOTE: The update can be done using printed hard copies and mail. However, learning to electronically update the EAP and using email to distribute will be much easier and less expensive. Please contact the DNRC Dam Safety Program  for help and advice if you are having any difficulties in completing this process.