An overview on the potential dam hazard and pre-qualitative analysis on the selected critical dam in Malaysia

Abstract

Apart from flood control and water storage for irrigation, dams were used for hydropower generation, navigation, drinking water supply, recreation and in mining operations as tailing dams. Human errors and mistakes have undermined safety in many dam operations, resulting in serious safety issues and numerous failures. Safety concerns were also largely caused by increased population and land use in dam downstream areas and by failing to perform necessary inspection, maintenance, or upgrade work. Dam safety cannot be concerned only with the structure itself, but it should be considered in relation to the population at risk in the downstream flood plain. Several potential dam hazards were listed in MyDAMS guidelines but for this research, the hazards chosen are overtopping and seepage failure considering the condition of Malaysian dam. Only one (1) selected dam will be chosen as the most critical dam. The selection criteria of the dam will be based on their type of dam, hazard classification, dam purpose and downstream population. A qualitative analysis was done by using the secondary data prepared by DID and hazard classification was done using dam hazard rating. Batu Dam was chosen as the most critical dam with high hazard rating as it has the highest crest elevation, water level and has the shortest distance between dam and populated area downstream.