# 15-214 Ch. 3: Ch. 3: Design and Construction Standards for New or Reconstructed Dams > Maine · Regulations · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_15_214_3 ## Section - **Citation:** 15-214 Ch. 3 - **Heading:** Ch. 3: Design and Construction Standards for New or Reconstructed Dams - **Jurisdiction:** Maine - **Kind:** Regulations - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** Code of Maine Rules / 15-214 Maine Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) / Ch. 3 ## Text purpose. e. Preliminary drawings of a general nature which include cross sections, plans and profiles of the impounding structure, proposed pool levels, and type of spillways. f. Preliminary design criteria, including a description of the size, ground cover conditions, and extent of development of the watershed, the geological and the geotechnical engineering assumptions for the foundations and materials to be used. g. The owner's written request for preliminary and final inspection. h. Written documentation by the owner's engineers certifying that dam construction will be consistent with final design plans and as-built plans. i. A schedule for filling the reservoir. 3.43 FINAL DESIGN REPORT Construction or reconstruction may not commence until a final design report is received by the Agency. The final design report shall include: a. A report of geotechnical investigations of the foundation soils or bedrock and of the materials to be used to construct or reconstruct the impounding structure. b. Design assumptions and analyses sufficient to indicate that the impounding structure will be stable during its construction or reconstruction and during the life of the impounding structure under all conditions of reservoir operations, including rapid filling and rapid drawdown of the impoundment. c. Confirmation of the stability of the reservoir rim area in order to safeguard against reservoir ruin slides of such magnitude as to create waves capable of overtopping the impounding structure and confirmation of stability during seismic activity. d. Design assumptions and analyses to indicate that seepage in, around, through, or under the impounding structure, foundation, and abutments win be reasonably and practically controlled so that internal or external forces or results thereof will not endanger the stability of the impounding structure. e. Calculations and assumptions relative to design of the spillway(s). f ing seismic activity. d. Design assumptions and analyses to indicate that seepage in, around, through, or under the impounding structure, foundation, and abutments win be reasonably and practically controlled so that internal or external forces or results thereof will not endanger the stability of the impounding structure. e. Calculations and assumptions relative to design of the spillway(s). f. Provision to insure that the impounding structure and appurtenances will be protected against significant deterioration or erosion due to freezing and thawing, wind and rain, or any combination thereof. g. Other pertinent design date, assumptions, and analyses commensurate with the nature of the particular impounding structure and individual site conditions. When required by the Agency, a delineation of the inundation zone will be prepared by the owner for "high" and "significant hazard" impounding structures. h. Plans and specifications as outlined in Section 3.54 of this chapter. i. After verifying that the dam construction methods and design specifications were met, authorization to impound water will be issued prior to filling the reservoir. j. The Agency shall accept, review, and notify the owner within [45] working days whether the Preliminary Design Report is acceptable or not. The same procedure shall be followed for the Final Design Report. 3.5 DESIGN OF STRUCTURES AND HYDROLOGY 3.51 INVESTIGATION; FOUNDATIONS; CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS, SURVEYS; AND HYDROLOGIC CALCULATIONS a. The owner shall complete all investigations prior to submitting the design report. The scope and degree of precision required is a matter of engineering judgement based on the complexities of the site and the hazard potential classification of the proposed structure. The geotechnical engineering investigation shall consist of borings, test pits, and other subsurface exploration necessary to define adequately the existing conditions. The investigations shall be performed so as to define the soil, rock, and groundwater conditions. b of engineering judgement based on the complexities of the site and the hazard potential classification of the proposed structure. The geotechnical engineering investigation shall consist of borings, test pits, and other subsurface exploration necessary to define adequately the existing conditions. The investigations shall be performed so as to define the soil, rock, and groundwater conditions. b. All construction materials shall be adequately specified to insure that their properties meet design criteria. If on-site materials are specified, they shall be located and determined to be adequate in extent and in properties. c. Surveys shall be made with sufficient accuracy to locate the proposed construction and to define the volume of the storage in the impounding structure. The area downstream from the proposed impounding structure shall be investigated in order to delineate the areas and extent of potential damage in case of failure. Locations of center lines and other horizontal and vertical control shall be shown on a map of the site. d. The drainage area shall be determined. Present and projected conditions shall be reasonably considered in determining the runoff characteristics of the drainage area. All hydrologic assumptions shall be included in the design calculations which shall be submitted as part of the design report. e. Periodic inspections will be conducted by a qualified Dam Inspector during the construction or reconstruction of all dams in this State. Additionally, written reports noting all conditions found will be forwarded to the Director, MEMA, within 15 working days. Conditions affecting public safety of employees shall be forwarded to the Director at the earliest opportunity art of the design report. e. Periodic inspections will be conducted by a qualified Dam Inspector during the construction or reconstruction of all dams in this State. Additionally, written reports noting all conditions found will be forwarded to the Director, MEMA, within 15 working days. Conditions affecting public safety of employees shall be forwarded to the Director at the earliest opportunity. 3.52 THE DESIGN FLOOD The magnitude of the minimum design flood to be utilized in impounding structure design, construction, operation, and maintenance shall not be less than the recommended spillway design flood commensurate with the size and hazard potential of the particular impounding structure in accordance with the recommended procedures contained within the Corps of Engineers published guidance and those which are incorporated in these regulations by reference to the extent they are not inconsistent with other provisions of these regulations and existing laws of Maine. 3.53 SPILLWAY DESIGN a. Every impounding structure shall have a spillway system with adequate capacity to discharge water in keeping with potential hazards involved without endangering the safety of the impounding structure. b. A spillway shall be required, unless it is demonstrated by the applicant that adequate capacity is provided by other means to prevent endangering the integrity of the impounding structure. c. A vegetated earth or unlined emergency spillway may be approved when demonstrated that it will pass the spillway design flood without jeopardizing the safety of the structure. 3.54 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS The plans and specifications for a new or reconstructed impounding structure shall consist of the following as a minimum: a prevent endangering the integrity of the impounding structure. c. A vegetated earth or unlined emergency spillway may be approved when demonstrated that it will pass the spillway design flood without jeopardizing the safety of the structure. 3.54 PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS The plans and specifications for a new or reconstructed impounding structure shall consist of the following as a minimum: a. The name of the project; the name of the owner; classification of the impounding structure as set forth in Chapter 3 of these regulations; designated access to the project; and the location with respect to highways, roads, streams, and existing impounding structures and impoundments that would affect or be affected by the proposed impounding structure. b. Cross sections, profiles, logs of test borings, laboratory and in situ test data, drawings of principal and emergency spillways, and other additional drawings in sufficient detail to indicate clearly the extent and complexity of the work to be performed. c. The technical provisions, as may be required to describe the methods of construction and construction quality control for the project. d. Special provisions, as may be required to describe technical provisions needed to insure that the impounding structure is installed according to the approved plans and specifications. Plans and specifications shall be submitted with the final design report. e. The owner shall notify the Agency of any proposed changes in design, plans, and specifications that will affect the safety of the impounding structure. 3.6 CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE 3.61 The applicant shall submit a construction schedule with the final design report that includes: a. A time and construction sequence schedule that includes the estimated time to complete the construction activities. b. Techniques to be used to divert stream flow during construction to prevent hazard to life, health, and property. c afety of the impounding structure. 3.6 CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE 3.61 The applicant shall submit a construction schedule with the final design report that includes: a. A time and construction sequence schedule that includes the estimated time to complete the construction activities. b. Techniques to be used to divert stream flow during construction to prevent hazard to life, health, and property. c. A plan of quality control testing to confirm that materials and construction methods met the design requirements set form in the specifications. 3.7 ACCEPTABLE DESIGN PROCEDURE AND REFERENCES 3.71 The following are acceptable as design procedures and references: a. The design procedures, manuals, and criteria used by the United States Army Corps of Engineers. b. The design procedures, manuals, and criteria used by the United States Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. c. The design procedures, manuals, and criteria used by the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. d. The design procedures, manuals, data, and criteria used by the United States Department of Commerce, National Weather Service. ## Nearby sections - [15-214 Ch. 2 Ch. 2: Rules for Establishing Fees for Reporting under the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization At of 1986 and title 37-B Sec. 801, M.R.S. Chapter 13](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_15_214_2.md) - [15-214 Ch. 3 Ch. 3: Design and Construction Standards for New or Reconstructed Dams](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_15_214_3.md) - [15-214 Ch. 4 Ch. 4: Maine Dam Repair and Reconstruction Revolving Loan Program](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_15_214_4.md) - [15-214 Ch. 5 Ch. 5: Maine Disaster Recovery Fund](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_15_214_5.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_ME_CMR_15_214_3. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.