Dams and Reservoirs Assessments Services

Reservoir risk assessments

Our staff have a wide range of experience in the design and application of differing types of risk assessments for reservoirs, and have driven the development of the latest national guidance on reservoir risk assessment for the UK Government. We can provide:

• bespoke portfolio risk assessment for reservoirs using a variety of methodologies;
• qualitative risk assessment for reservoirs;
• quantitative risk assessment (QRA) for reservoirs using the UK Interim Guide to QRA Methodology (2004);
• advice and training on application of the new UK Risk Assessment for Reservoir Safety (RARS) methodology; and 
• integration of reservoir risk assessment with monitoring data or with dambreak and inundation modelling.

Reservoir sedimentation and operation

Every year, sedimentation causes an estimated one per cent reduction in the total capacity of all reservoirs worldwide. Sediments also block intakes in reservoirs and damage tunnels and turbines. HR Wallingford has undertaken research and consultancy studies in reservoir sedimentation over many years. We have expertise in sediment measurement techniques, reservoir surveys and their analysis, sediment transport processes in river basins and the application of numerical models in reservoir sedimentation studies. Our numerical models can predict future reservoir storage and test operational changes, and we offer expert advice, desk studies, field monitoring, surveying and its analysis, numerical modelling and training.

Dam break assessment and flood mapping

Although they are normally low probability events, dam breaks or embankment (levee/dike) breaches can have enormous cost and loss of life consequences. Responsible dam owners seek to assess and manage this significant risk (probability and consequence) in order to protect those downstream and to manage their liability. We can provide the following services:

• scenario assessment and potential risk identification;
• use of simplified (AREBA) breach software for simple embankments within system risk models;
• use of detailed (HR Breach / EMBREA) software to predict breach growth through complex embankment structures;
• sale of breach software (EMBREA) as stand alone, or as part of consultancy or bespoke training;
• general introduction to breach modelling training course;
• use of InfoWorks-RS or other flood modelling software to simulate the reservoir failure;
• flood routing and inundation mapping of varying complexity (1D, integrated 1D-2D, 2D);
• associated risk assessments and emergency planning;
• agent-based loss of life modelling using life safety models; and
• development of emergency management plans.

Physical and numerical modelling for dams and reservoirs

Our state-of-the-art physical modelling facilities are used to optimise structure designs at an early stage, preventing costly operational issues later. Our complimentary numerical modelling systems ensure a solution for any complex hydraulic design problem.

Dam condition assessment / UK Reservoir Panel Engineer services

Our staff have many years experience in the inspection and condition assessment of dams, both in the UK and internationally. We are able to provide the following services:

• Supervising Panel Engineer services under the Reservoirs Act 1975;
• Inspecting (All Reservoirs) Panel Engineer services under the Reservoirs Act 1975;
• Construction Engineer services under the Reservoirs Act 1975;
• Qualified Civil Engineer (QCE) services under the Reservoirs Act 1975;
• 24 hour reservoir safety emergency advice and response;
• general reservoir safety advice;
• UK reservoir legislation advice; and 
• dam safety inspections and reporting for non-statutory (small) reservoirs.

Dam monitoring and early warning systems

Recent research advances allow us to offer reservoir owners exciting new possibilities for cost-effective monitoring of embankment dams. Services include design and specification of bespoke long-term monitoring systems embedded in embankment dams, twinned with artificial intelligence (AI) continuous monitoring and a suite of powerful modelling tools for emergency planning and response.

Cost effective bathymetric reservoir surveys

Developed in association with the UK Environment Agency, our ARC-Boat is a radio-controlled surveying boat capable of undertaking fast effective reservoir depth and volume surveys with minimum health and safety risks to site personnel, and at lower cost than traditional manned surveys.