Arizona Administrative Code
Title 12 - NATURAL RESOURCES
Chapter 15 - DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES
Article 12 - DAM SAFETY PROCEDURES
Section R12-15-1224 - Emergency Procedures

Universal Citation: AZ Admin Code R 12-15-1224

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 52, December 27, 2024

A. The owner of a dam shall immediately notify the Department and responsible authorities in adjacent and downstream communities, including emergency management authorities, of a condition that may threaten the safety of the dam. The owner shall take necessary actions to protect human life and property, including action required under an emergency action plan or order issued under this Article.

1. A condition that may threaten the safety of a dam includes:
a. Sliding of upstream or downstream slopes or abutments contiguous to the dam;

b. Sudden subsidence of the top of the dam;

c. Longitudinal or transverse cracking of the top of the dam;

d. Unusual release of water from the downstream slope or face of the dam;

e. Other unusual conditions at the downstream slope of the dam;

f. Significant landslides in the reservoir area;

g. Increasing volume of seepage;

h. Cloudy seepage or recent deposits of soil at seepage exit points;

i. Sudden cracking or displacement of concrete in a concrete or masonry dam spillway or outlet works;

j. Loss of freeboard or dam cross section due to storm wave erosion;

k. Flood waters overtopping an embankment dam; or

l. Spillway backcutting that threatens evacuation of the reservoir.

2. In case of an emergency, the owner shall telephone the Arizona Department of Public Safety's emergency numbers at (800) 411-2336 or (602) 223-2000.

B. The Director shall issue an emergency approval to repair, alter, or remove an existing dam if the Director finds that immediate remedial action is necessary to alleviate an imminent threat to human life or property.

1. The emergency approval shall be provided in writing on a form developed for this purpose.

2. The emergency approval may contain conditions the Director determines are appropriate to protect human life or property.

3. The emergency approval is effective immediately for 30 days after notice is issued unless extended in writing by the Director. The Director shall also send notice to the county flood control district of the county in which the dam is located, all municipalities within 5 miles downstream of the dam, and any additional persons identified in the emergency action plan.

4. The Director may institute legal or administrative proceedings that the Director deems appropriate for violations of the emergency approval or conditions of the emergency approval.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Arizona may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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