Posted on: Friday, March 17, 2006
Hazard ratings for Hawai'i dams
| • | PDF file: List of Hawai'i dams and their hazard ratings |
Note: The following information, provided by the Department of Land and Natural Resources, is an explanation of the hazard classification system used in the PDF file in the link above.
| CATEGORY | LOSS OF LIFE | PROPERTY DAMAGE |
| H — High | More than few | Excessive (extensive community, industry or agriculture) |
| S — Significant | Few (no urban developments and no more than a small number of structures) | Appreciable (notable agriculture, industry or inhabitable structures) |
| L — Low | None expected (no permanent structures for human habitation) | Minimal (undeveloped to occasional structures or agriculture) |
| U — Undetermined |
Dam hazard classifications refers to the potential loss of human life or property damage in the area downstream of the dam in event of failure or mis-operation of the dam or appurtenant facilities. It is not related to the present condition of the dam nor its stability. High hazard: Dams in the highest hazard potential category will be those located where failure will most likely result in the loss of life and cause serious damage to homes, extensive agricultural, industrial and commercial facilities, important public utilities, main highways, or railroads.
Significant hazard: Significant potential category structures will be located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas where failure may result in the loss of life and damage isolated homes, secondary highways or minor railroads or cause interruption of use or service of relatively important public utilities.
Low hazard: Dams conforming to criteria for the low hazard potential category generally will be located in rural or agricultural areas where failures may damage farm buildings, limited agricultural land, or township and county roads.
