Reclamation Dams

The Dams Asset Class layer represents the spatial locations and key attributes of dams owned, operated, or managed by the Bureau of Reclamation. It is part of the Enterprise Asset Registry used to support asset management, infrastructure planning, risk assessment, and operational decision-making. Each feature in the layer corresponds to a dam structure and includes associated metadata such as dam name, region, hazard classification, and operating entity. The dataset is maintained by Reclamation’s Asset Management Office and is updated periodically to reflect changes in infrastructure status and inventory. Definitions Dam: As defined in Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety, 2004: Any artificial barrier, including appurtenant works, which impounds or diverts water, and which; is twenty-five feet or more in height from the natural bed of the stream or watercourse measured at the downstream toe of the barrier or from the lowest elevation of the outside limit of the barrier if it is not across a stream channel or watercourse, to the maximum water storage elevation or has an impounding capacity at maximum water storage elevation of fifty acre-feet or more. These guidelines do not apply to any such barrier which is not in excess of six feet in height regardless of storage capacity, or which has a storage capacity at maximum water storage elevation not in excess of fifteen acre-feet regardless of height. This lower size limitation should be waived if there is a potentially significant downstream hazard. The guidelines apply with equal force whether the dam has a permanent reservoir or is a detention dam for temporary storage of floodwaters. The impounding capacity at maximum water storage elevation includes storage of floodwaters above the normal full storage elevation. In addition to conventional structures, this definition of "dam" specifically includes "tailings dams," embankments built by waste products disposal and retaining a disposal pond. Dike: A subsidiary dam of any type constructed across a saddle or low point on the perimeter of a reservoir. Small Water Barrier: A small water barrier is any artificial barrier, including appurtenant works, which impounds or diverts water. Small water barriers are similar to dams in their construction, operation, maintenance, and management, but these structures do not meet the minimum size requirements of a dam. Canal check structures and other similar structures are not considered small water barriers.