Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Issues General Correspondence on Dam Safety Inspections and EAP Seminar Follow-Up

Strategic Insights -

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a general correspondence on July 31, 2025, addressing several issues related to dam safety inspections and an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) seminar. The correspondence, directed to Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) Company, outlines follow-up actions required by FERC to address concerns identified during the inspections and seminar. Specifically, FERC highlighted the need for improved public safety warning signage and the correction of animal burrows on certain dams. The correspondence also emphasized the importance of documenting repairs and maintaining regular maintenance programs for dams.

Key Takeaways:

  • FERC conducted dam safety inspections at Pit 3, 4, & 5, McCloud-Pit, and Pit 1 Projects, FERC Nos. 233, 2106, and 2687, respectively, on July 14-16, 2025.
  • The inspections and EAP seminar revealed several issues requiring follow-up action, including:

+ Improper warning signage at Pit No. 4 Dam, Pit No. 1 Diversion Dam, Pit No. 1 Forebay Dam, Fall River Weir, and Pit River Weir.

+ Corrosion on the steel plates covering trunnion pins at the Pit No. 6 and 7 developments.

+ Erosion holes and surface erosion at Pit No. 1 Diversion Dam.

  • FERC requires PG&E to:

+ Repair animal burrows on Pit No. 5 Open Conduit Dam and Pit No. 1 Forebay Dam.

+ Improve public safety warning signage near the structures mentioned above.

+ Re-assess the trunnion pin cover plate adequacy at Pit No. 6 and 7 developments.

+ Incorporate repairs of erosion holes and surface erosion into regularly scheduled maintenance programs for the Pit No. 1 Diversion Dam.

Statistics:

  • The inspections and EAP seminar were conducted on July 14-17, 2025.
  • FERC inspected a total of 3 dams, FERC Nos. 233, 2106, and 2687.
  • The inspections revealed 5 structures with inadequate warning signage.
  • FERC requires repairs to be completed within 30 days from the date of the correspondence.

Sources:

  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (2025, July 31). General Correspondence: FERC's Office of Energy Projects Division of Dam Safety and Inspections - San Francisco Regional Office.
  • Pacific Gas and Electric Company. (2025). Utility Procedure PG-2761P-01.
  • Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. (2024). Spillway Gate Inspection Report (GIR) dated February 25, 2014.
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (n.d.). Dam Safety Warning Signs Best Practices | FEMA.gov.