Virginia Law

A. Alterations which would potentially affect the structural integrity of an impounding structure include, but are not limited to, changing the height or otherwise enlarging the dam, increasing normal pool or principal spillway elevation or physical dimensions, changing the elevation or physical dimensions of the emergency spillway, conducting necessary repairs or structural maintenance, or removing the impounding structure. Structural maintenance does not include routine maintenance.

B. An applicant for an Alteration Permit shall submit a design report. A form for the design report is available from the department (Design Report for the Construction or Alteration of Virginia Regulated Impounding Structures). The design report shall be prepared in accordance with 4VAC50-20-240. The design report shall include, but not be limited to, the following information:

1. Project information including a description and benefits of the proposed alteration, name of the impounding structure, inventory number if available, name of the reservoir, and the purpose of the reservoir.

2. The hazard potential classification in conformance with Table 1 in 4VAC50-20-50.

3. Location of the impounding structure including the city or county, number of feet or miles upstream or downstream of a highway and the highway number, name of the river or the stream, and the latitude and longitude.

4. Owner's name or representative if corporation, mailing address, residential and business telephone numbers, and other means of communication.

5. Owner's engineer's name, firm, professional engineer Virginia number, mailing address, and business telephone number.

6. Impounding structure data including type of material (earth, concrete, masonry or other) and the following configurations (note both existing and design configurations for each):

a. Top of impounding structure (elevation);

b. Downstream toe – lowest (elevation);

c. Height of impounding structure (feet);

d. Crest length – exclusive of spillway (feet);

e. Crest width (feet);

f. Upstream slope (horizontal to vertical); and

g. Downstream slope (horizontal to vertical).

7. Reservoir data including the following (note both existing and design configurations for each):

a. Maximum capacity (acre-feet);

b. Maximum pool (elevation);

c. Maximum pool surface area (acres);

d. Normal capacity (acre-feet);

e. Normal pool (elevation);

f. Normal pool surface area (acres); and

g. Freeboard (feet).

8. Spillway data including the type, construction material, design configuration, and invert elevation for the low level drain, the principal spillway, and the emergency spillway.

9. Watershed data including drainage area (square miles); type and extent of watershed development; time of concentration (hours); routing procedure; spillway design flood used and state source; design inflow hydrograph volume (acre-feet), peak inflow (cfs), and rainfall duration (hours); and freeboard during passage of the spillway design flood (feet).

10. Evidence that the local government has been notified of the alteration and repair plan.

11. Plans and specifications as required by 4VAC50-20-310. The plan view of the impounding structure site should represent all significant structures and improvements that illustrate the location of all proposed work.

12. A report of the geotechnical investigations of the foundation soils, bedrock, or both in the areas affected by the proposed alterations and of the materials to be used to alter the impounding structure.

13. Design assumptions and analyses sufficient to indicate that the impounding structure will be stable during the alteration of the impounding structure under all conditions of reservoir operations.

14. Calculations and assumptions relative to design of the improved spillway or spillways, if applicable.

15. Provisions to ensure that the impounding structure and appurtenances during the alteration will be protected against unacceptable deterioration or erosion due to freezing and thawing, wind, wave action and rain or any combination thereof.

16. Other pertinent design data, assumptions and analyses commensurate with the nature of the particular impounding structure and specific site conditions, including when required by this chapter, a plan and water surface profile of the dam break inundation zone.

17. If applicable, a description of the techniques to be used to divert stream flow during alteration work so as to prevent hazard to life, health and property, including a detailed plan and procedures to maintain a stable impounding structure during storm events, a drawing showing temporary diversion devices, and a description of the potential impoundment during the alteration. Such diversion plans shall be in accordance with the applicable environmental laws.

18. A plan for project construction monitoring and quality control testing to confirm that materials used in the alteration work and that performance standards meet the design requirements set forth in the specifications.

19. Certification by the owner's engineer that the information provided pursuant to this subsection is true and correct in their professional judgment. Such certification shall include the engineer's signature, printed name, Virginia number, date, and the engineer's Virginia seal.

20. Owner's signature certifying receipt of the information provided pursuant to this subsection.

C. A plan of construction is a required element of complete permit application and shall include:

1. A construction sequence with milestones.

2. Elements of the work plan that should be considered include, but are not limited to, foundation and abutment treatment, excavation and material fill processes, phased fill and compaction, testing and control procedures, construction of permanent spillway and drainage devices, if applicable.

3. The erosion and sediment control plan, as approved by the local government, which minimizes soil erosion and sedimentation during all phases of construction.

D. Within 120 days of receipt of a complete Alteration Permit Application, the board shall act on the application. If the application is not acceptable, the director shall inform the applicant within 60 days of receipt and shall explain what changes are required for an acceptable application. A complete Alteration Permit Application consists of the following:

1. A final design report with attachments as needed, and certified by the owner;

2. A plan of construction that meets the requirements of subsection C of this section;

3. Any necessary interim provisions to the current Emergency Action Plan or Emergency Preparedness Plan. Interim provisions shall be submitted to the local organization for emergency management, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, and the department; and

4. If the owner is requesting the deregulation of an impounding structure, the application shall specify whether the impounding structure is to be removed so that the impounding structure is incapable of storing water, either temporarily or permanently; or whether the impounding structure is to be altered in such a manner that either the height or storage capacity of the impounding structure causes the impounding structure to be of less than regulated size.

E. During the alteration work, the owner shall provide the director with any proposed changes from the approved design, plans, specifications, or a plan of construction. Approval shall be obtained from the director prior to the alteration or installation of any changes that will affect the integrity or impounding capacity of the impounding structure.

F. The Alteration Permit shall be valid for the construction sequence with milestones specified in the approved Alteration Permit Application.

G. Work identified in the Alteration Permit must commence within the time frame identified in the Alteration Permit. If work does not commence within the prescribed time frame, the permit shall expire, except that the applicant may petition the board for extension of the prescribed time frame and the board may extend such period for good cause with an updated construction sequence with milestones.

H. The board, the director, or both may take any necessary action consistent with the Dam Safety Act (§ 10.1-604 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) if any terms of this section or of the permit are violated, if the activities of the owner are not in accordance with the approved plans and specifications, if the alteration is conducted in a manner hazardous to downstream life or property, or for other cause as described in the Act.

I. Within 90 days after completion of the alteration of an impounding structure, the owner shall submit a complete Record Report. A form for the Record Report is available from the department (Record Report for Virginia Regulated Impounding Structures). The Record Report shall be signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer and signed by the owner and shall be sent to the department indicating that the modifications made to the structural features of the impounding structure have been completed. This report is not required when the Alteration Permit has been issued for the removal of an impounding structure. The Record Report shall include the following:

1. Project information including the name and inventory number of the structure, name of the reservoir, and whether the report is associated with a new or old structure;

2. Location of the impounding structure including the city or county, number of feet or miles upstream or downstream of a highway and the highway number, name of the river or the stream, and the latitude and longitude;

3. Owner's name or representative if corporation, mailing address, residential and business telephone numbers, and other means of communication;

4. Information on the design report, including who it was prepared by, the date of design report preparation, whether it was for new construction or for an alteration, and the permit issuance date;

5. Owner's engineer's name, firm, professional engineer Virginia number, mailing address, and business telephone number;

6. Impounding structure data including type of material (earth, concrete, masonry or other) and the following configurations:

a. Top of impounding structure (elevation);

b. Downstream toe – lowest (elevation);

c. Height of impounding structure (feet);

d. Crest length – exclusive of spillway (feet);

e. Crest width (feet);

f. Upstream slope (horizontal to vertical); and

g. Downstream slope (horizontal to vertical).

7. Reservoir data including the following:

a. Maximum capacity (acre-feet);

b. Maximum pool (elevation);

c. Maximum pool surface area (acres);

d. Normal capacity (acre-feet);

e. Normal pool (elevation);

f. Normal pool surface area (acres); and

g. Freeboard (feet).

8. Spillway data including the type, construction material, design configuration, and invert elevation for the low level drain, the principal spillway, and the emergency spillway; a description of the low level drain and principal spillway including dimensions, trash guard information, and orientation of intake and discharge to impounding structure if looking downstream; and a description of the emergency spillway including dimensions and orientation to impounding structure if looking downstream;

9. Watershed data including drainage area (square miles); type and extent of watershed development; time of concentration (hours); routing procedure; spillway design flood used and state source; design inflow hydrograph volume (acre-feet), peak inflow (cfs), and rainfall duration (hours); and freeboard during passage of the spillway design flood (feet);

10. Impounding structure history including the date construction was completed, who it was designed by and the date, who it was built by and the date, who performed inspections and dates, description of repairs, and confirmation as to whether the impounding structure has ever been overtopped;

11. A narrative describing the impounding structure procedures for operation, maintenance, emergency action plan implementation, and structure evaluation;

12. A narrative describing the hydraulic and hydrologic data on the spillway design flood, hydrologic records, flood experience, flood potential, reservoir regulation, and comments or recommendations regarding these attributes;

13. A narrative describing stability of the foundation and abutments, embankment materials, and a written evaluation of each;

14. A complete set of record drawings signed and sealed by a licensed professional engineer and signed by the owner;

15. Certification by the owner's engineer that the information provided pursuant to this subsection is true and correct in their professional judgment. Such certification shall include the engineer's signature, printed name, Virginia number, date, and the engineer's Virginia seal; and

16. Owner's signature certifying receipt of the information provided pursuant to this subsection.

J. For altered impounding structures, a certification from a licensed professional engineer who has monitored the alteration of the impounding structure that, to the best of the engineer's judgment, knowledge, and belief, the impounding structure and its appurtenances were altered in conformance with the plans, specifications, drawings and other requirements approved by the board.