The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has announced it is ordering actions at a number of dams statewide following a 1000-Year flood event in the US state.
According to the department, many dams across the state were damaged and have been identified as needing repair. As the state's regulatory agency, DHEC's role is to provide input and assistance to dam owners and operators and to advise on regulatory compliance.
Dam owners are responsible for maintaining the structural integrity of their dams, and DHEC said it will be aggressive in pursuing all necessary safety measures to make sure that dam owners are making these needed repairs as quickly as possible.
So far, 390 dams have been assessed, with emergency orders issued to 63 dams. The emergency orders are part of DHEC's ongoing proactive assessment of all Class One and Class Two dams across the state in the wake of the historic rains and flooding, which damaged some dams and caused 36 to fail. There is no immediate threat to public safety at this time, it added.
Under the South Carolina Dams and Reservoirs Safety Regulations, an emergency order may direct the dam owner to:
- lower the water level by releasing water from the reservoir;
- completely empty the reservoir;
- take whatever immediate measures necessary to reduce the risk of dam failure.
The owner's decision to repair or replace a dam will be subject to DHEC review and approval. DHEC said it will prioritize review of dam permit applications associated with this natural disaster.
For detailed information concerning the orders and which dams are involved, click here.
