RESCDAM – Development of rescue actions based on dam-break flood analysis
Background and Goals
The main purpose of the RESCDAM project was to develop emergency action planning for dams. A dam break hazard (flood) analysis is a necessary aid for this. The pilot project of RESCDAM was focused on the embankment dam of the Kyrkösjärvi reservoir located in Seinäjoki in West Finland.
The project work was divided into three sub-projects: 1) Risk assessment (analysis), 2) Dam break hazard analysis and 3) Emergency/rescue action planning.
Results:
- The risk analysis methodology has been studied and refined on the basis of literature and Finnish experience and as an application example, the risk analysis of Kyrkösjärvi dam was conducted.
- A sociological research program was completed on the public response to dam safety issues (a questionnaire to the population downstream of Kyrkösjärvi dam).
- Physical laboratory tests and a literature study concerning human stability and the permanence of houses in flowing water and roughness coefficients of forest and houses were completed.
- Numerical flow models (one-dimensional and two-dimensional) were applied to Kyrkösjärvi dam and the results of the different models compared.
- Downstream risks (consequences of Kyrkösjärvi dam failure) were estimated with regard to property and loss of life.
- An emergency action plan for Kyrkösjärvi dam was drafted.
- Recommendations were made to update the Finnish Dam Safety Code of Practice concerning emergency and rescue activities.
Content time
toResearch area/region
Country
- Finland
Steps in the process of adaptation to climate change
Step 1: Understand and describe climate change
Approach and results
As input for Kyrkösjärvi dam break simulation three flood situations were simulated. Floods with a return period of 20, 100 and 10 000 years were created or determined with the operational hydrological catchment model. The method used to determine a 10,000 year flood is based on precipitation with a return period of 10,000 years.
Parameter (climate signals)
- River flooding
Step 2a: Identify and assess risks - climate effects and impact
Approach and results
One part of RESCDAM was the research carried out at the Laboratory of Water Resources at the Helsinki University of Technology. There were three aims to this part of the project: 1) studying the stability and manoeuvrability of people in flowing water, 2) studying permanence of buildings in flowing water and 3) determining roughness coefficients of forest and buildings.
The sociological research on the public response to dam safety issues was one part of the RESCDAM project. It played an important role in this project, in that the research was concentrated on the attitude of the public to the risk of a dam break at Kyrkösjärvi and on the possible reactions to a flood. By investigating the needs of the population in security matters, the research served as one of the tools in drafting the emergency action plan for the eventuality of a dam break at Kyrkösjärvi and for better preparedness.
Step 3: Develop and compare measures
Measures and/or strategies
A number of recommendations for the emergency action plan were made on the basis of public response to the questionnaire A compact guide for the population on how to act in the event of a dam break should be created The guide should be in the form of a leaflet distributed to each household in the flood risk area. Another way of distributing the information would be to include it in the local phone-book.
A study performed in the course of the project concerned itself with the concept of risk assessment for dams, risk analysis, risk evaluation, risk management, systematic application of engineering judgement, causes and probabilities of dam incidents, risk analysis for Kyrkösjärvi dam, and finally conclusions and recommendations.
Participants
Funding / Financing
The project was awarded funding by the EU Commission. The total costs of the project amounted to €861,332, with €451,416 being contributed by the Commission. Additional funding was also provided by the Finnish Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the Finnish Ministry of the Interior, the West Finland Regional Environment Centre, the Finnish Environment Institute as well as the partners involved.
Project management
Finnish Environment Institute
Cooperation/Partners
Enel. Hydro Polo Idraulico e Strutturale (Milan),
EDF Electricité de France Laboratoire National d´Hydraulique et Environnement (Paris),
Laboratory of Water Resources at the Helsinki University of Technology,
Emergency Services College (Kuopio),
Seinäjoki Fire Brigade (Seinäjoki) and West Finland Regional Environment Centre (Vaasa, Seinäjoki)
Contact
Finnish Environment Institute
Mechelininkatu 34a
FI-00251 Helsinki
