Operational impacts of climate change on dams and reservoirs'- Dam and reservoir management in extreme weather

Descriptions

Lessons learned from incidents collected by the Environment Agency have shown that extreme weather can increase the risk of reservoir incidents occurring. Feedback from 'small' reservoir owners (meaning, undertakers with one or very few registered sites, generally with less technical knowledge and financial capital) suggests that there has been a lack in simple guidance for how to effectively manage their sites. In 2024, the Environment Agency (EA) published new guidance (How to manage your large raised reservoir) which contributes to filling this knowledge gap. Climate change The climate has changed, and with it, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, and more severe. The EA has seen an increase of incidents reported which relate to weather events. Recommendation 13(b) of the Independent Reservoir Safety Review highlights the need for the Environment Agency to "review recent and ongoing research on the impact of climate change on constructed embankments and determine if further research is needed to better understand the implications for earth embankment dams and other reservoir structures. If necessary further research should be commissioned." An early review of existing guidance has shown that there is limited reference to extreme weather, and the unique challenges to maintenance and operation this brings. Project objective: This guidance would aim to improve the preparedness of reservoir operators by suggesting measures which should be taken in periods of extreme weather. These events will be exacerbated by climate change, with impacts expected to increase in frequency and severity. As such, equipping operators with a resource which supports them in preparing for these events will improve resilience in the reservoir owner group and if implemented, will improve reservoir safety through reduced risk of uncontrolled failure from preventable causes.