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APPENDIX C: GUIDELINES FOR OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF LEVEE. FLOODWALL. AND INTERIOR DRAINAGE FACILITIES (a) GENERAL (1) The structures and facilities for local flood protection shall be continuously maintained in such a manner and operated at such times and for such periods as may be necessary to retain designed capabilities and fulfill NFIP objectives. (2) The state, political subdivision thereof, or other responsible local agency, which furnished assurance that it will maintain and operate flood control works in accordance with these regulations, as required by law, shall appoint a permanent committee consisting of or headed by an official hereinafter called the "Superintendent," who shall be responsible for the development and maintenance of and directly in charge of an organization responsible for the efficient operation and maintenance of all of the structures and facilities during flood periods and for continuous inspection and maintenance of the project works during periods of low water. (3) A reserve supply of materials needed during a flood emergency shall be available at all times in a condition acceptable for immediate use. (4) No encroachment or trespass that will adversely affect the efficient operation or maintenance of the project works shall be permitted upon the rights-of-way for the protective facilities. (5) No improvement shall be passed over, under, or through the walls, levees, improved channels, or floodways, nor shall any excavation or construction be permitted within the limits of the project right-of-way, nor shall any change be made in any feature of the works without prior certification by appropriate authorities, FEMA, or their authorized representative that such improvement, excavation, construction, or alteration will not adversely affect the functioning of the protective facilities. Permitted improvements or alterations shall be constructed in accordance with standard engineering practice. (6) It shall be the duty of the Superintendent to report annually and following flood events to FEMA on inspection, maintenance, and operation of the protective works. (7) The levee owner will furnish other local interests with an Operation and Maintenance Manual. This manual shall begin with an outline of design functions and objectives and describe principles for operation and maintenance to keep the system functional and efficient. The manual shall be reviewed by the Superintendent for appropriateness and understandability for each project under his jurisdiction or separate useful part thereof. -89-
(b) LEVEES (1) Maintenance. The Superintendent shall provide at all times such maintenance as may be required to ensure serviceability of the structures in time of flood. Measures shall be taken to promote the growth of sod, to exterminate burrowing animals, and to provide for routine mowing of the grass and weeds, removal of wild growth and drift deposits, and repair of damage caused by erosion or other forces. Where practicable, measures shall be taken to retard bank erosion. Periodic (at least annual) inspections shall be made by the Superintendent to ensure that the following maintenance measures are being effectively carried out and further to be certain that: a. No unusual settlement, sloughing, or material loss of grade or levee cross-section has taken place. Observation of continuity of grade of top of levee on periodic inspections is extremely important and must be supplemented by ground surveys of crest elevations at intervals no greater thann 100 feet or other acceptable modern methods. b. No caving has occurred on either the land side or the river side of the levee that might affect the stability of the levee section. c. No extraordinary seepage, saturated areas, or sand boils are occurring. d. Toe drainage systems and pressure relief wells are in good working condition and that such facilities are not becoming clogged. e. No revetment work or riprap has been displaced, washed out, or removed so as to expose the underlying embankment. f. No action is being taken such as burning grass and weeds during inappropriate seasons, which will retard or destroy the growth of sod. g. Access roads to and on the levee are being properly maintained. h. Cattle guards and gates are in good condition. i. Crown of levee is shaped so as to drain readily and any roadway thereon is well shaped and maintained. j. There is no unauthorized grazing or vehicular traffic on the levees. Particularly, recreation vehicles should be kept off the faces of levee embankments. k. Encroachments are not being made on the levee right-of-way that might endanger the structure or hinder its proper and efficient functioning during times of emergency. Such inspections shall be made immediately prior to the beginning of the flood season, immediately following each major high-water period, and at such intermediate -90-
times as may be necessary to ensure adequate care of the levee. Immediate steps will be taken to correct dangerous conditions disclosed by such inspections. Regular maintenance repair measures shall be accomplished during the appropriate season as scheduled by the Superintendent. (2) Operation. During prolonged periods of high water the levee shall be patrolled continuously to locate possible sand boils or unusual wetness of the landward slope and to be certain that: a. There are no indications of slides or sloughs developing. b. Wave wash or scouring action is not occurring. c. No settlement or deterioration has occurred to cause reaches of levee to be lower than the levee as a whole. d. No other conditions exist that might endanger the structure. Appropriate advance measures will be taken to ensure the availability of adequate labor and materials to meet all contingencies. Immediate steps will be taken to control any condition that endangers the levee and to repair the damaged section. (c) FLOOD WALLS (1) Maintenance. The Superintendent shall be responsible for periodic inspections to be certain that: a. No seepage, saturated areas, or sand boils are occurring. b. No undue settlement has occurred that affects the stability of the wall or its water tightness. c. No trees exist, the roots of which might extend under the wall and accelerate seepage. d. The concrete has not undergone cracking, chipping, or breaking to an extent that might affect the stability of the wall or its water tightness. e. There are no encroachments upon the right-of-way that might endanger the structure or hinder its functioning in time of flood. f. Care is being exercised to prevent accumulation of trash and debris adjacent to walls and to ensure that no fires are being built near them. g. No bank caving conditions exist riverward of the wall that might endanger its stability. -91-
h. Toe drainage systems and pressure relief wells are in good working condition and are not becoming clogged. Such inspections shall be made immediately prior to the beginning of the flood season, immediately following each major high-water period, and otherwise at intervals not exceeding 90 days. Measures to eliminate encroachments and effect repairs found necessary by such inspections shall be undertaken immediately. All repairs shall be accomplished by methods acceptable in standard engineering practice. (2) Operation. Continuous patrol of the wall shall be maintained during flood periods to locate possible leakage at monolith joints or seepage underneath the wall. Floating plant (e.g., barges, dredges) or boats will not be allowed to lie against or tie up to the wall. Should it become necessary during a flood emergency to pass anchor cables over the wall, adequate measures shall be taken to protect the concrete and construction joints. Immediate steps shall be taken to correct any condition that endangers the stability of the wall. (d) DRAINAGE STRUCTURES, INTERIOR DRAINAGE, AND FLOODWAYS (1) Maintenance. Adequate measures shall be taken to ensure that inlet and outlet channels and all interior drainages are kept open and that trash, drift, or debris is not allowed to accumulate near drainage structures. Flap gates and manually operated gates and valves on drainage structures shall be examined, oiled, and trial operated at least once every 6 months. Where drainage structures are provided with stop-log or other emergency closures, the condition of the equipment and its housing shall be inspected regularly, and a trial installation of the emergency closure shall be made at least once each year. Periodic inspections shall be made by the Superintendent to be certain that: a. Pipes, gates, operating mechanism, riprap, and headwalls are in good condition. b. Inlet and outlet channels are open. c. Care is being exercised to prevent accumulation of trash and debris near structures and that no fires are being built near bituminous coated pipes. d. Erosion is not occurring adjacent to a structure that might endanger its water tightness or stability. -92-
e. The capacity of the channel or floodway is not being reduced by the formation of shoals. f. Banks are not being damaged by rain or wave wash and no sloughing of banks has occurred. g. Riprap sections and deflection dikes and walls are in good condition. h. Approach and egress channels adjacent to the improved channel or floodway are sufficiently clear of obstructions and debris to permit proper functioning of the project works. Immediate steps will be taken to repair damage, replace missing or broken parts, or remedy adverse conditions disclosed by such inspections. (2) Operation. Wherever gates are permitted and high water conditions impend, the gates will be inspected a short time before water reaches the invert of the pipe and any object that might prevent closure of the gate shall be removed. Manually operated gates shall be closed to prevent inflow of flood water. All drainage structures in levees shall be inspected frequently during floods to ascertain whether seepage is taking place along the lines of their contact with the embankment. Immediate steps shall be taken to correct any adverse condition. (e) CLOSURE STRUCTURES (1) Maintenance. Closure structures for traffic openings shall be inspected by the superintendent every 90 days to be certain that: a. No parts are missing. b. Metal parts are adequately covered with paint. c. All movable parts are in satisfactory working order. d. Proper closure can be made promptly when necessary. e. Sufficient materials are on hand for erection of closures and the location of such materials will be readily accessible in times of emergency. Tools and parts shall not be removed for other use. Trial operations of one or more closure structures shall be made once each year, alternating the structures chosen so that each gate will be erected at least once in each 3-year period. Trial operation of all closure structures shall be made whenever a change is made in key operating personnel. Where road or railroad operation makes trial operation of a closure structure infeasible, rigorous inspection and drill of operating personnel may be submitted therefor. Trial -93-
operation of sand bag closures is not required. Closure materials will be carefully checked prior to and following flood periods and damaged or missing parts shall be repaired or replaced immediately. (2) Operation. Erection of each movable closure shall be started in sufficient time to permit completion before flood waters reach the top of the structure sill. Information regarding the proper method of erecting each individual closure structure, together with an estimate of the time required by an experienced crew to complete its erection, will be covered in the Operation and Maintenance Manual. Closure structures will be inspected frequently during flood periods to ascertain that no undue leakage is occurring and that drains provided to care for ordinary leakage are functioning properly. Boats or floating plant shall not be allowed to tie up to closure structures or to discharge passengers or cargo over them. (f) PUMPING PLANTS (1) Maintenance. Pumping plants shall be inspected by the Superintendent at invervals not to exceed 30 days during flood seasons and 90 days during off-flood seasons to ensure that all equipment is in order for instant use. At regular intervals, proper measures shall be taken to provide for cleaning plant, buildings, and equipment, repainting as necessary, and lubricating all machinery. Adequate supplies of lubricants for all types of machines, fuel for gasoline or diesel powered equipment, and flash lights or lanterns for emergency lighting shall be kept on hand at all times. Telephone service shall be maintained at pumping plants. All equipment, including switch gear, transformers, motors, pumps, valves, and gates shall be trial operated and checked at least once every 90 days. Tests of all insulation shall be made whenever wiring has been subjected to undue dampness and otherwise at intervals not to exceed 1 year. A record shall be kept showing the results of such tests. Wiring disclosed to be in an unsatisfactory condition by such tests shall be brought to a satisfactory condition or shall be promptly replaced. Diesel and gasoline engines shall be started at such intervals and allowed to run for such length of time as may be necessary to ensure their serviceability in times of emergency. Only skilled electricians and mechanics shall be employed on tests and repairs. Operating personnel for the plant shall be present during tests. Any equipment removed from the station for repair or replacement shall be returned or replaced as soon as practicable and shall be trial operated after reinstallation. Repairs requiring -94-
removal of equipment from the plant shall be made during off-flood seasons insofar as practicable. (2) Operation. Competent operators shall be on duty at pumping plants whenever it appears that necessity for pump operation is imminent. The operator shall thoroughly inspect, trial operate, and place in readiness all plant equipment. The operator shall be familiar with the equipment manufacturers' instructions and drawings and with the "Operating Instructions" for each station. The equipment shall be operated in accordance with the above-mentioned "Operating Instructions" and care shall be exercised that proper lubrication is being supplied all equipment, and that no overheating, undue vibration, or noise is occurring. Immediately upon final recession of flood waters, the pumping station shall be thoroughly cleaned, pump house sumps flushed, and equipment thoroughly inspected, oiled, and greased. A record or log of pumping plant operation shall be kept for each station. (g) MISCELLANEOUS FACILITIES (1) Maintenance. Miscellaneous structures and facilities constructed as a part of the protective works and other structures and facilities that function as a part of or affect the efficient functioning of the protective works shall be periodically inspected by the Superintendent and appropriate maintenance measures taken. Damaged or unserviceable parts shall be repaired or replaced without delay. Areas used for ponding in connection with pumping plants or for temporary storage of interior runoff during flood periods shall not be allowed to become filled with silt, debris, or dumped material. The Superintendent shall take proper steps to prevent restriction of bridge openings and, where practicable, shall provide for temporary raising during floods of bridges that restrict channel capacities during high flows. (2) Operation. Miscellaneous facilities shall be operated to prevent or reduce flooding during periods of high water. Those facilities constructed as a part of the protective works shall not be used for purposes other than flood protection unless designed therefor. (Paraphrased from Title 33, USCE) -95-
