From Risk to Resilience: Strategies for Spillway Safety, Debris Control, and Climate Resilient Power Generation

This workshop will provide a deep dive into the challenges of debris accumulation in spillways and hydropower infrastructure, focusing on real-world case studies, mitigation strategies, and expert insights. The session will begin with an overview of how climate change and extreme weather are increasing debris loads, leading to overtopping, spillway damage, power generation loss, and safety risks.

Key Takeaways:

1: Understanding the status quo and growing challenges of extreme weather events and upstream debris challenges
2: Exploring commercially viable mitigation strategies and how to initiate the concept development
3: Facilitating practical design concepts to support regulatory and industry standards, while improving generation efficiency and dam safety
4: Empower hydro leaders in proactively addressing facility challenges and engaging with vital stakeholders

Phase 1: Examine past debris-driven failures, highlighting incidents where spillway blockages and clogged intakes contributed to operational inefficiencies and structural damage. Case studies of Rapidan Dam (US), multiple dams following Hurricane Helene 2024, Karuma Dam (Uganda), and Matahina Dam (New Zealand) will explore the root causes of these challenges, how emergency responses unfolded, and what lessons can be applied to prevent similar events. This will include interactive discussions where attendees can share their operational concerns and challenges.

Phase 2: Sharing practical strategies for mitigating debris risks. Topics will include passive and active debris control measures, such as floating barriers, log booms, trash racks, and bypass systems. Best practices for spillway and hydropower intake protection will also be covered. Ideally, other industry and regulatory experts can share perspectives from their operating areas (including proposed subject matter experts from USBR, CDA, and industry alternatives)

Phase 3: The industry expert group will bring together dam operators, engineers, regulators, and solution providers to share real-world insights. Operators will discuss their experiences with debris mitigation, while regulators will provide guidance on compliance and safety requirements. Solution providers will introduce innovative debris management strategies and share successful case studies. This opportunity can be used to implement a real-time application where a pre-identified site can be used to show a multi-perspective approach to how some would mitigate the challenges at the dam.

A best practices toolkit will be provided, offering resources and contacts for further learning. The session will include a final Q&A and networking opportunity, ensuring attendees leave with practical solutions and industry connections to enhance dam safety and resilience.

Presenters

Paul Meeks

Faculty

President and Chief Executive Officer at Worthington Products, Inc.