Books in the ICOLD Bulletins Series series

This bulletin compiles improvements in knowledge and state of the art technology to avoid or mitigate environmental impacts of dams on the natural ecosystem as well as to the people that depend upon them for their livelihood.

The work covers hydro-electricity production and hydropower dams and plants. Data are presented on typical capital and operating costs. Environmental and social impacts are discussed, as is the impact reservoirs have on greenhouse gas emissions. Hydropower development and the influence of renewable energy policies are also discussed.

Presents the state-of-the-art on roller-compacted concrete technology for dams, addressing all aspects of the planning, design, construction and performance of RCC in dams. Mixture proportioning and quality control are discussed and a comprehensive listing of references is included.

Cutoffs for Dams discusses foundation treatment methods using cutoff-type barriers. Emphasis is given to alluvial deposits throughout this document. The following types of cutoffs are presented in this Bulletin: Diaphragm walls, Vib walls, Pile walls, Superimposed concreted galleries, Jet grouting, Deep mixing.

Dams are part of human achievements that induce great benefits for society but also bear a potential risk to people, property and the natural environment. The risk of a dam rupture is extremely low and difficult to quantify accurately. The objective of dam surveillance is to make a precise and timely diagnosis of the behavior of dams, in order to prevent undesirable consequences. Both the monitoring system and surveillance program has to be designed and should be able to detect any abnormal behaviour. The aim of `Dam surveillance¿ (ICOLD Bulletin 158) is to help reduce these risks by early detection of an undesirable event.

This bulletin summarizes the role of dams in the future in the context of the global environmental changes which have become a significant issue in recent years. Global problems such as climate change have impacts on dam safety. Dams can therefore be both affected by global problems and help provide solutions to these isses.

The topic of dam decommissioning or dam removal has come up with increasing frequency in the past decade. The reason for considering dam removal may be dam safety concerns, high repair costs, high operation and maintenance costs, or impacts on fish passage and water quality. This ICOLD Bulletin provides owners of dams, dam technicians and other professionals with the information needed to guide decision making when considering dam dismantling as a project alternative.

This bulletin gives an overview of the main functional and operational aspects relating to cascade hydropower stations and reservoirs, it was formed by reviewing of all the related aspects proposed and case studies provided by committee members.

The guidelines on mathematical modelling of sediment transport dynamics in reservoirs in this document can be used during the planning and design of new dams, as well as for the management of existing dams.

The present Bulletin presents a complete response from the `Technical Committee of ICOLD on Dams and Water Transfer (CDWT)¿ to the Terms of Reference. Essentially, it dwells on possible need, potential and problems in water transfers that must be handled to overcome B/C issues faced by needy countries.

This update of Bulletin 49A (1986) addresses the need for safe reservoir discharge under a variety of conditions, the dam operator¿s staffing, evaluation (inspection) of the condition of operating equipment, and operation during unusual or extreme conditions.

ICOLD Bulletin 180 presents the vast experience gained over the past 6 decades by the dam engineering community in the field of dam surveillance by means of 80 case histories. The case histories cover a wide variety of technical aspects and deal with success stories but also incidents, and aim to learn from these practical experiences.