Jeremias Andrade Carrera
29 Oct 2009

Dam safety designs:

Dear Mr. Castanaga:

I believe your posting of 20 Oct contains several wrong information which are as follows:

1. FVR graduated from West Point taking engineering subjects or courses, but not as a civil engineer and obtained his masters degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois. Civil engineering at the West Point was not accredited until 1985. Masters degree in civil engineering does not automatically mean thorough knowledge in dam safety since there are various civil engineering specialties.

2. Lake Mead is “not downstream” of but the reservoir of Hoover Dam and how could that be when it was created by the construction of the dam?

3. Multipurpose dams such as San Roque which is in series and downstream of two upper dams must operate under controlled releases in order to efficiently and safely serve the different functions which are irrigation, power, flood control, and potable water supply.

For flood control function of unexpected floods, the reservoir water levels must be low (not at the crest as you suggested) so that excess runoff (including those from Ambuklao and Binga) can be stored and released in a timely and regulated or controlled manner in order to avoid flooding downstream.

The operation for flood control is slightly complicated by the fact that San Roque is downstrean and in series with Ambuklao and Binga, which means that it must know in real time, what the expected and actual releases are from the upper dams.

This complication is overcome by the use of meteorological and hydrologic instrumentation and integrated information systems, which must be in place for a dam of such functions and size (second to the three Gorges dam) to operate safely.

The release must be further carefully controlled especially because of the fact that planned flood control and irrigation structures downstream are not yet in place- these are what FVR was talking about. But just because these structures are missing does not mean the operator can release any amount as he wishes as you suggested. It is like saying that just because there is no posted speed, a vehicle operator can drive as fast without regard to public safety.

For the power generation function, the required controlled release will be minimal as practical (unless flood control dictates otherwise) to maintain the reservoir level as high as possible throughout the year to generate more power to satisfy the power demand, and for irrigation function, the farmers want more release during the dry months and less during rainy season.

4. Being the most knowledgeable and experienced dam operator means he is “PROFESSIONAL”, supposed to know how to prepare protocol or SOP that will not cause loss of lives, destruction of properties and livelihood. Therefore your statement that dams like San Roque can operate without controlling the release is totally wrong.

I know you read a lot, and I suggest you digest and understand what you read.
 Those idiot politicians want to stop the operation of San Roque when what is needed is just legislation that governs the operation and the implementing rules and regulations, and the construction of the complimenting flood control structures downstream.

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