Downstream valley hazard classification of itabira municipality dams

Abstract

The potential for dam failures and public pressure for a safer environment make the development of risk evaluation instruments mandatory in contemporary society. In Brazil, Law 12.334 of September 20, 2010 is the new keystone legislation in the field of dam safety. It establishes the national dam safety policy and defines the main instruments for the national dam safety policy, including a system for the classification of dams according to risk and downstream hazard. This paper presents the downstream valley hazard classification of five dams located in Itabiruçu Municipality, in the context of the new Brazilian dam safety law.