Department of Water Resources

Programs

Dam Guidelines - Plans

Plans should be clear, concise and drafted specifically for the purpose of dam construction. Subdivision plats for mass grading with embankments added are unacceptable. At a minimum, the following should be shown on the set of drawings submitted to the State Engineer for permitting (NAC 535.210(6)):
  • Vicinity/Location map.
  • Plan view of watershed boundary and downstream hazard
  • Topographical map showing contours of subject area
  • Plan view of dam and reservoir area.
  • Location of any test pits, trenches or boreholes - can be in the geotechnical report
  • Survey tie to and from section corner to center of crest of dam or maximum section
  • Cross section of embankment along axis and maximum section
  • Elevations of
  • Dam crest and emergency spillway crest
  • Maximum normal and flood water elevations in reservoir
  • Maximum flow line in channels
  • Slopes of upstream and downstream faces
  • Details of erosion protection
  • Dimensions and locations of all pervious, semi-pervious, impervious materials
  • Dimensions and locations of all embankment and foundation drains
  • Spillway plan view and cross section
  • Outlet plan view and cross section, elevations and control works
  • Inlet plan view and cross section, elevations and control works, as applicable
  • Locations of piezometers, settlement gauges, survey monuments or other instrumentation.
  • Outlet conduit seep interceptor (drain and filter)
  • Reservoir area/capacity curves to the top of the embankment
  • Discharge curve for outlet/spillway - can be in the design document
  • Details of all appurtenances
  • Railings
  • Structural concrete, curbing and flatwork
  • Power supply
  • Plumbing, etc.
Please note that the number of sheets described in the regulation is the bare minimum for a simple dam. As a design increases in complexity, the details and number of sheets necessary to illustrate them will increase accordingly.