 Dams in British Columbia
Water storage dams are generally built to supply water for domestic, industrial, conservation, or agricultural use, or for the production of electricity. In British Columbia, these dams are usually situated at the higher elevations so as to use gravity for distribution and to gain benefit from the plentiful rainfall and snowmelt.
Many of these dams are located above major population centres. Due to the effects of gravity, the water stored behind a dam can have immense potential energy that if released in an uncontrolled manner, such as the result of a dam failure or mis-operation of the works could cause loss of life, great social and economic loss and severe environmental damage to the drainage area downstream.
 Dams in British Columbia are classified in terms of the reasonably foreseeable incremental consequence of failure. The Consequence Categories listed in Schedule 1 of the Dam Safety Regulation are based on the incremental losses which a failure might inflict on downstream or upstream areas or at the dam. "Incremental losses" are those over and above the losses that might have occurred for the same natural event or conditions, had the dam not failed. This Schedule is produced for the purpose of this regulation and pertains to existing dams. For new dam design or for dam rehabilitation, the CDA guidelines are to be followed.
 Dam Safety Program
The function of administering the licensed dams is carried out by regional and headquarters offices. Dams 9 metres or greater are the responsibility of Headquarters and dams below 9 metres are a regional responsibility.
Dam Safety Regulations provide guidance on the application process as well as reporting and inspection guidelines.
Additional guidelines and documents relevant to Dam Safety:
The following links provide more information on Dam Safety:
The following are dam-related links of interest:
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