As a large dam owner, you are now required to have regular comprehensive inspections by a licensed expert in dam safety. While you may complete your own visual inspections as part of your weekly or monthly checks, the new Owner Responsible Inspection Program (ORIP) is much more thorough and technical – including reviews for embankment stability, dam failure analysis, floodplain hazard ratings, hydraulic capacity, and a site inspection by a licensed dam safety expert. Our dam safety experts meet all the new WDNR inspection requirements, so contact Ayres Associates today for a no-obligation estimate for your ORIP inspection.

News Updates

Please bookmark this page so you can check on ORIP updates.

May 2010: Letters sent from WDNR to tell dam owners about the new inspection requirements.

September 2010: Letters sent from WDNR to tell owners when they must complete the first round of inspections.

January 2011: Inspection program officially begins. Some owners are required to complete inspections and correct deficiencies in 2011. The clock is running so contact Ayres Associates today to plan for inspections in your 2011 budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who needs an inspection?

Q. How often must my dam be inspected?

Q. Who is qualified to inspect my dam?

Q. The WDNR says my dam is not "permitted," so how can I get it approved?

Q. The WDNR is asking for a "dam failure analysis" or "EAP/IOMP"— who can
     complete those?

Q. How can Ayres Associates fulfill all my inspection, design, and permitting needs?

Q. Do you have other engineering, surveying, or inspection needs?

Answers to your questions

Who needs an inspection?

Any "large dam" owner must have regular inspections, and the WDNR will call you to tell you when your inspection is due. Per Wisconsin Statute 31.19, a "large dam" has a structural height of 25 feet or more and impounds more than 15 acre-feet of water OR has a structural height of more than 6 feet and impounds 50 acre-feet or more of water. Call Ayres Associates to find out if your dam meets the "large dam" requirements.

How often must my dam be inspected?

The WDNR will tell you when your dam must be inspected. If you have questions Ayres Associates can contact the WDNR on your behalf. In general and for every large dam, the WDNR has issued a hazard classification and inspection frequency:

• "High hazard dam" if its failure would probably cause loss of human life. High hazard dams must be inspected at least four times every 10 years.
• "Significant hazard dam" if its failure would probably cause significant property damage but would probably not cause loss of human life. Significant hazard dams must be inspected at least twice every 10 years.
• "Low hazard dam" if its failure would probably not cause significant property damage or loss of human life. Low hazard dams must be inspected at least once every 10 years.

Who is qualified to inspect my dam?

Ayres Associates is fully qualified to complete all inspection requirements. The WDNR requires owners of "large dams" to retain a Wisconsin registered professional engineer to inspect the dam, and the inspector must have dam-related experience and knowledge of the regulations governing dam ownership and operation in Wisconsin. In other words, engineers completing dam inspections must have proven experience with dam design, function, and inspection.

The WDNR says my dam is not "permitted." How can I get it approved?

Ayres Associates can complete all the steps necessary to permit a dam. Please call us for a no-obligation quote and to learn more about how we can help you comply with the WDNR regulations.

The WDNR is asking for a "dam failure analysis" or "EAP/IOMP." Who can
complete those?

Ayres Associates can complete your dam failure analysis, write your "emergency action plan" (EAP), develop your "inspection, operation, and maintenance plan" (IOMP), and fulfill all your dam inspection and engineering needs for compliance with state and federal regulations.

How can Ayres Associates answer all my inspection, design, and permitting needs?

Ayres Associates has extensive experience ranging from large federally licensed hydropower to low hazard recreation dams in the following areas. Call us for references and examples of how we can provide services on your next project.

• Dam surveying and inspection
• ORIP inspections
• Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Part 12 inspections
• Professional land surveying and mapping
• Professional hydrosuveying and underwater mapping
• Underwater diver inspections
• Gate climber inspections and certified weld inspectors

• Dam design and new construction
• Grant applications
• Feasibility studies (including adding hydropower)
• Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses (including ordinary high water mark)
• Structural design
• Cost estimating
• Bidding and construction inspection
• Operations and maintenance improvements

• Dam safety requirements (NR333 compliance)
• Dam safety inspections
• Dam repairs and rehabilitation
• Dam failure analysis and "hydraulic shadow" mapping
• Hazard rating assessment
• Emergency Action Plans
• Bidding and construction inspection
• Inspection, Operation, and Maintenance Plans

• Regulatory compliance
• FERC licensing applications
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineer permits
• State permits (Department of Natural Resources)
• Dam construction permits
• Dam repair permits
• Dam ownership transfer permits
• Local zoning permits

• Environmental studies
• Fish passage restoration
• Reservoir sedimentation
• Shoreline stabilization
• Turbine fish entrainment

Do you have other engineering, surveying, or inspection needs?

Contact Ayres Associates to find out how we can help you.