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Dams and Development E-Paper Contents

p. 46 of 74 BACK | NEXT Home Page of Dams and Development Foreword I. Why an e-paper on dams and development? II. Assessing options III. Participatory processes IV. Social impacts V. Environmental impacts VI. Benefit distribution VII. Dam safety and sustainability Dam safety Operation in times of flood Reservoir quality Managing sedimentation VIII. Existing projects IX. Improving governance X. What other organizations say XI. ADB, Dams, and Development XII. References Contact Us

Coordinating operation in times of flood

Operation of a dam or cascade of dams in flood situations not only requires careful pre-season planning, but effective coordination and warning systems during the flood season - both between agencies and with the communities that are at risk.

Impacts of unannounced flood flows on downstream communities can have disastrous consequences for individuals and give rise to international tensions in the case of transboundary basins.

In addition to safety and damage considerations are issues related to managing flood releases for ecosystem needs.

Guidance on design and operational aspects can be found in:

• US Federal Emergency Management Agency
• Managed floods - an ecosystem approach to basin management
• ICOLD Bulletin No 125: Dams and Floods
• Floods and reservoir safety, UK Institution of Civil Engineers

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