Notice for dam, reservoir owners, operators

Owners and operators of reservoirs statewide should check their dams today, and through the next several days, for possible problems caused by heavy rainfall from Hurricane Joaquin, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control. “Owners of reservoirs should take the appropriate steps to safely lower the water level in their reservoir if additional storage for the anticipated rainfall is needed,” said Chuck Gorman with DHEC’s dam safety program. “If there is a dam downstream of your dam and you are lowering your water level, please call the owner of that dam and advise him or her about what you are doing. Before and after the storm has passed, any accumulated trash and debris should be cleared from spillways.” According to the National Weather Service, a significant amount of rain is expected in the Southeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. “Dam owners should be aware of the conditions at their dams during such events,” Gorman said. “If such problems develop that failure of the dam might be imminent, the owner or operator of the dam should contact the downstream property owners and the local public safety officials.”