Dam Infrastructure Risk: Assessment and Management

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing and dam safety compliance are driving a new era of risk assessment.

GFT helps dam owners meet evolving FERC Part 12D requirements through proactive planning and risk-informed strategies. From Level 1 screening to advanced quantitative analysis, we identify potential failure modes, support relicensing efforts, and design practical solutions that protect lives, infrastructure, and operations.

Actionable Solutions for Safer Dams

Explore targeted services that help dam owners assess risk, plan proactively, and strengthen infrastructure performance with confidence.

Dam Risk Assessment and Failure Mode Analysis
We guide clients through structured, tiered risk assessments, ranging from qualitative screenings to quantitative analyses. Our phased approach and carefully planned workshops help owners efficiently prioritize resources, address regulatory demands, and uncover critical failure modes early. Backed by decades of dam safety experience, we deliver risk insights that are actionable, defensible, and scalable.
Structural Condition Assessments and Repair Planning
When deterioration accelerates, GFT helps you act fast without overcorrecting. We conduct forensic material testing and root-cause analysis to recommend repair methods matched to failure modes. This results in lower life cycle costs, fewer surprises, and stronger dam performance for years to come.
Resilient Dam Design and Hazard Mitigation
From seismic shifts to overtopping events, risk factors evolve. We help owners stay ahead with resilient design adaptations that mitigate specific threats. Our experts apply proven interventions, like spillway retrofits, erosion protection, and redundancy measures, to extend the service life of critical infrastructure.

Seismic Hazard Analysis and Performance Evaluations
When new hazard data emerges, we respond with a right-sized evaluation strategy. Our tiered seismic assessments, from spreadsheet-based to nonlinear modeling, balance urgency and accuracy, guiding safe, cost-effective upgrades that meet evolving standards.
Public Safety
The potential for damage and the risk of loss of life underscores the importance of dam safety programs and planning for a safety incident. Timely notification and communication of critical information are paramount during a flooding or dam safety event. Our team provides owners with a full range of emergency management services, including:
- Planning, training, exercises.
- Ongoing program maintenance services.
- Technical tools that help prepare a complete emergency management toolkit.
We assist in covering the core elements of emergency action plans (EAPs):
- Notification flowcharts and contact information.
- Response process.
- Responsibilities.
- Preparedness activities.
- Inundation maps.