EBC Dam Management Program: Climate Change and the Critical Role of Dams in Flood Control

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Dams in New England have become a part of our landscape, a reminder of our industrial history, as well as part of our present and a necessity for our flood control future. These oft-times controversial structures play an important role in flood control, protecting not only our infrastructure and way of life, but also our natural resources. While not all dams provide appreciable amounts of flood storage or attenuation, some have been built with that function solely in mind. Still others provide incidental flood control benefits in addition to their primary functions.

For those structures that provide value to our society and well-being, there need to be defined design and performance standards and practices to protect the public and our natural resources. Given the dynamic nature of recent precipitation trends, new data, and predicted increases in precipitation, these standards are being adapted to enable continued flood control performance and to protect the surrounding public and natural resources.

While acknowledging that not all dams provide flood control, or even public benefit, this program will review those steps that are being taken to protect the dams that do provide beneficial function and are necessary to protect our towns, communities, and infrastructure from flooding, including:

• Review of current New England state regulations relative to spillway design floods (SDFs)
• Discussion of current and predicted precipitation trends in New England
• Review of federal flood control programs/structures
• Review of state flood control programs/structures in New England
• Review of local dam programs to provide for flood control now and into the future

General Continuing Education Certificates are awarded by the EBC for this program (2.5 training contact hours). Please select this option during registration if you wish to receive a certificate.

Program Co-Chairs

• Christopher Haker, P.E., Principal Engineer, Tighe & Bond
• Matthew Bellisle, P.E., Senior Vice President, Pare Corporation

Speakers

• Sarah Widing, P.E., Water Resources Engineer, VHB
• Jim Lyons, Civil Engineer, Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Scott C. Michalak, P.E., Chief, Geotechnical/Water Resources Branch, Levee Safety Officer, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – New England District

Final Agenda – Dam Management Program – Climate Change and the Critical Role of Dams in Flood Control