Climate Change Resiliency for Dams

CSA Group
Standards Development Organisation:
Canadian Standards Association (operating as CSA Group)
Working Program:
View the CSA work program
Designation Number:
CSA S910
Standard Type:
National Standard of Canada - Domestic
Standard Development Activity:
New Standard
Status:
Proceeding to development
SDO Comment Period Start Date:
SDO Comment Period End Date:
Posted On:

Scope:

Note: As requested by the repsonsible SDO, this NOI being reissued as the standard was in the initial stages of development for more than 12 months an additional comment period of April 20 to May 11, 2021 (orignally publised on Oct 1, 2019). The project need was updated on April 20, 2021.

This new standard

  • addresses considerations for adapting dams (existing, new, or retrofit/upgrade projects) to a changing climate by reviewing current climate data and future climate projections, and regulatory, risk, design, construction, and operations and maintenance aspects;
  • the scope of the standard will include a variety of dam functions including: flood protection, water storage, hydroelectric generation, recreation, and waste containment;
  • provides a user-friendly framework and tool for designers, engineers, and managers to use when designing, constructing, operating or maintaining dams to support future climate resiliency;
  • provides guidance on climate change data sources and their usage in determining the impacts on dams;
  • addresses methods for assessing key design parameters, including maximum probable flood, and maximum probable precipitation;
  • highlights climate change adaptation measures for building resilience and addressing high risk scenarios.

Project need:

This proposed New Standard is being developed at the request of dam stakeholders. It will provide the industry with requirements and guidance for the assessment of climate change vulnerabilities and adaptation approaches for improving the resiliency of Canadian dams. This will meet the strategic needs of the following key interests: a) dam owners and operators; b) regulatory authorities; c) industry associations; and d) the public.

Note: The information provided above was obtained by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) and is provided as part of a centralized, transparent notification system for new standards development. The system allows SCC-accredited Standards Development Organizations (SDOs), and members of the public, to be informed of new work in Canadian standards development, and allows SCC-accredited SDOs to identify and resolve potential duplication of standards and effort.

Individual SDOs are responsible for the content and accuracy of the information presented here. The text is presented in the language in which it was provided to SCC.