Maryland Dam Safety Regulations MD 378 PDF
Maryland Dam Safety Regulations MD 378 PDF
Maryland Dam Safety Regulations MD 378 PDF
Conservation practice standards are reviewed periodically, and updated if needed. To obtain the current version of this standard,
contact the Natural Resources Conservation Service
height of the embankment is 6 feet or less. Soils Investigation - A soils investigation is re-
quired on all ponds. As a minimum it shall in-
The height of the embankment shall be measured clude information along the centerline of the
from the top of the dam to the lowest point of proposed dam, in the emergency spillway loca-
excavation, excluding the cutoff trench, along the tion, and the planned borrow area. The type of
centerline of the dam. equipment used and the extent of the investiga-
tion will vary from site to site. All investigations
In addition, an embankment pond that meets the shall be logged using the Unified Soil Classifica-
criteria below shall be considered an excavated tion System.
pond and is also exempt from small pond ap-
proval. Road Embankments - Where road embankments
are being designed to impound a specific volume
1. The calculation of 10H+20=L, where of water, either as a permanent pool or temporary
H=height from the pond bottom to the top of stormwater storage, special design and evalua-
the dam, is provided, and tion criteria may be required as determined by
Appendix B.
2. The projection of L horizontally downstream
from the pond bottom is below the existing CONSIDERATIONS
or proposed ground, and
Water Quantity - The following items should be
3. The existing or proposed downstream ground considered for water quantity:
slope within the projection of L is less than
10% at any point. 1. Effects upon components of the water
budget, especially effects on volumes and
The review and design of such class “a” struc- rates of runoff, infiltration, evaporation, tran-
tures shall be based on sound engineering judg- spiration, deep percolation, and ground water
ment assuring a stable outfall for the ten (10) recharge.
year, 24-hour storm event.
2. Variability of effects caused by seasonal or
Site Conditions - Site Conditions shall be such climatic changes.
that runoff from the design storm can be safely
passed through (1) a natural or constructed emer- 3. Effects on the downstream flows or aquifers
gency spillway, (2) a combination of a principal that could affect other water uses or users.
spillway and an emergency spillway, or (3) a
principal spillway. 4. Potential for multiple use.
Drainage Area - The drainage area above the 5. Effects on the volume of downstream flow to
pond must be protected against erosion to the prohibit undesirable environmental, social or
extent that expected sedimentation will not economic effects.
shorten the planned effective life of the structure.
Water Quality - The following items should be
For ponds whose primary purpose is to trap considered for water quality:
sediment for water quality, adequate storage
should be provided to trap the projected sediment 1. Effects on erosion and the movement of
delivery from the drainage area for the life of the sediment, pathogens, and soluble and sedi-
pond. ment attached substances that are carried by
runoff.
If the intent is to maintain a permanent pool, the
drainage area should be at least 4 acres for each 2. Effects on the visual quality of on-site and
acre-foot of permanent storage. These recom- downstream water resources.
mendations may be reduced if a dependable
source of ground water or diverted surface water 3. Short-term and construction-related effects of
contributes to the pond. The water quality shall this practice on the quality of downstream
be suitable for its intended use. water courses.
4. Effects of water level control on the tempera- age non-inhabited buildings, agricultural
tures of downstream waters to prevent unde- land, floodplains or county roads.
sired effects on aquatic and wildlife commu-
nities. Class “b” - Structures located in rural, agri-
cultural, or urban areas where failure may
5. Effects on wetlands and water-related wild- damage isolated homes, main highways or
life habitats. minor railroads or cause interruption of use
or service of relatively important public utili-
6. Effects of water levels on soil nutrient proc- ties.
esses such as plant nitrogen use or denitrifi-
cation. Class “c” - Structures located where failure
may cause loss of life or serious damage to
7. Effects of soil water level control on the soil homes, industrial and commercial buildings,
chemistry, soil water, or downstream water. important public utilities, main highways, or
railroads.
8. Potential for earth moving to uncover or re-
distribute sulfidic bearing soils. “Rural areas” is defined as those areas in which
residents live on farms, in unincorporated settle-
CRITERIA ments, or in incorporated villages or small towns.
It is where agriculture, including woodland ac-
Embankment Ponds tivities, and extractive industries, including sea-
food harvesting, provides the primary employ-
Structure Hazard Classification - Documenta- ment base for residents and where such enter-
tion of the classification of dams is required. prises are dependent on local residents for labor.
Documentation is to include but is not limited to
location and description of dam, configuration of Non-rural areas shall be classified as urban.
the valley, description of existing development
(houses, utilities, highways, railroads, farm or Peak Breach Discharge Criteria - Breach rout-
commercial buildings, and other pertinent im- ings are used to help delineate the area poten-
provements), potential for future development, tially impacted by inundation should a dam fail
and recommended classification. It is also to in- and can be used to aid dam classification. The
clude results obtained from breach routings, if breach hydrograph is the outflow hydrograph at-
breach routings are used as part of the classifica- tributed to the sudden release of water in reser-
tion process. The class (“a”, “b”, and “c”) as voir storage. This is due to a dam breach during
contained in this document is related to the po- non-storm conditions.
tential hazard to life and property that might re-
sult from a sudden major breach of the earth em- Stream routings made of the breach hydrograph
bankment. Structure classification and land use are to be based upon topographic data and hy-
for runoff determination must take into consid- draulic methodologies mutually consistent in
eration the anticipated changes in land use their accuracy and commensurate with the risk
throughout the expected life of the structure. being evaluated.
The classification of a dam is the responsibility
of the designer, and subject to review and con- The minimum peak discharge of the breach hy-
currence of the approving authority. drograph, regardless of the techniques used to
analyze the downstream inundation area, is as
The classification of a dam is determined only by follows:
the potential hazard from failure, not by the crite-
ria. Classification factors in the National Engi- Qmax = 3.2 Hw2.5 where,
neering Manual, as supplemented, are given be-
low: Qmax = the peak breach discharge, cfs.
Class “a” - Structures located in rural, agri- Hw = depth of water at the dam at the time of
cultural or urban areas dedicated to remain in failure, feet. This is measured to
flood tolerant usage where failure may dam- the crest of the emergency spill-
way or to design high water, if no top width shall be 10 feet. Guardrails or other
emergency spillway exists. Use safety measures are to be used where necessary
“nonstorm” conditions down- and are to meet the requirements of the responsi-
stream of the dam. ble road authority.
Where breach analysis has indicated that only Side Slopes - The combined upstream and down-
overtopping of downstream roads will occur, the stream side slopes of the settled embankment
following guidelines will be used: shall not be less than five horizontal to one verti-
cal (5:1) with neither slope steeper than 2:1. If
Class Depth of Flow the dam is used as a road crossing with a top
(d) ft. width greater than 26 feet, then the combined
side slopes of the settled embankment shall not
“a” d<1.5 be less than 4 horizontal to one vertical (4:1)
“b” & “c” d>1.5 with neither slope steeper than 2:1. Slopes must
be designed to be stable in all cases, even if flat-
Use and importance of the roadway shall be con- ter side slopes are required.
sidered when making a classification.
Earth Cuts - If cuts in an existing fill or in natu-
Hydrology - Principal and emergency spillways ral ground are required for the rehabilitation of
will be designed within the limitations shown on an existing pond spillway or the construction of a
TABLE 1. The storm duration used shall be 24 new pond, the slope of the bonding surfaces be-
hours except where TR-60 is specified. The tween the existing material in place and the fill to
pond shall be designed to safely pass the base be placed shall not be steeper than a ratio of two
flow along with volume and peak rates of runoff horizontal to one vertical (2:1).
from design storms, specified in Table 1. All
storm water management ponds shall be de- Foundation Cutoff - A cutoff trench of rela-
signed using urban criteria. This can be done by tively impervious material shall be provided un-
using principal and emergency spillways. The der the entire length of the dam and shall be lo-
following shall be used to determine runoff rates cated at or upstream from the centerline of the
and volumes: dam. The cutoff trench shall have a bottom
width adequate to accommodate the equipment
1. NRCS “Engineering Field Handbook, Part used for excavation, backfill and compaction op-
650” or; erations, with the minimum width being 4 feet,
and shall have side slopes no steeper than one
2. NRCS, NEH, Section 4, Hydrology” or; horizontal to one vertical. Minimum depth shall
be 4 feet.
3. NRCS, TR-55, “Urban Hydrology for Small
Watersheds” or; Impervious Core - Any impervious core within
the embankment shall be located at or upstream
4. NRCS, TR-20, “Computer Program for Pro- from the centerline of the dam, and shall extend
ject Formulation” or, up the abutments to the 10-year water surface
elevation. The impervious core shall extend ver-
5. Computer programs using NRCS hydrology tically from the cutoff trench up to the 10-year
methods with identifiable inputs and outputs water surface elevation throughout the embank-
as approved by the reviewing agency. ment.
normal pool elevation. For stormwater manage- and analyzed to function satisfactorily for the full
ment ponds, normal pool shall be considered as range of flow and hydraulic head anticipated.
the 10-year water surface elevation.
The riser shall be analyzed for flotation assuming
Seepage may be controlled by (1) foundation all orifices and pipes are plugged. The factor of
abutment or embankment drains; (2) reservoir safety against flotation shall be 1.2 or greater.
blanketing; or (3) a combination of these meas-
ures. Foundation drains may control seepage Pipe Conduits - Pipe conduits under or through
encountered in the cutoff trench during construc- the dam shall meet the following requirements:
tion. These drains must be located downstream
of the dam centerline and outside the limits of 1. All pipes shall be circular in cross section
the proposed cutoff trench. All drains must be except for cast-in-place reinforced concrete
designed according to the section Principal Spill- box culverts.
way, Conduit Piping and Seepage Control.
2. Pipe shall be capable of withstanding the ex-
Wave Erosion Protection - Where needed to ternal loading without yielding, buckling, or
protect the face of the dam, special wave protec- cracking.
tion measures such as a bench, rock riprap, sand-
gravel, soil cement or special vegetation shall be 3. Pipe strength shall be not less than those
provided. (Reference NRCS Technical Releases shown on Tables 3, 4 and 5 for corrugated
56 & 69) steel, aluminum, and plastic pipes and appli-
cable ASTM’s for other materials.
Freeboard - The top elevation of the settled em-
bankment shall be determined in accordance with 4. Where inlet or outlet flared sections are used,
minimum criteria established in Table 1 they shall be made from materials compatible
with the pipe.
Allowance for Settlement - The design height of
the dam shall be increased by the amount needed 5. All pipe joints shall be made watertight by
to insure that the design top of fill elevation will the use of flanges with gaskets, coupling
be maintained after all settlement has taken bands with gaskets, bell and spigot ends with
place. This increase shall not be less than 5 per- gaskets, or by welding. See Construction
cent, except where detailed soil testing and lab Specifications for details.
analyses indicate a lesser amount is adequate.
6. The joints between sections of pipe shall be
Principal Spillway designed to remain watertight after joint rota-
tion and elongation caused by foundation
Capacity - A conduit, with needed appurte- consolidation.
nances, shall be placed under or through the dam,
except where a weir type structure is used. The The capacity of the pipe conduit shall be ade-
minimum capacity of the principal spillway shall quate to discharge long duration, continuous or
be that required in Table 1. frequent flows without flow through the emer-
gency spillway. The diameter of the pipe shall
Crest Elevation of Inlet - The crest elevation of be not less than 6 inches.
the principal spillway shall be no less than 1.0
foot below the crest of the emergency spillway. For dams 20 feet or less in effective height, the
The crest elevation is the invert elevation of the following pipe materials are acceptable: cast-
lowest opening 6 inches or larger in any direc- iron, ductile iron, steel, corrugated steel or alu-
tion. minum, concrete with rubber gaskets, plastic,
and cast-in-place reinforced concrete box cul-
The inlet or riser size for the pipe drops shall be verts. Plastic pipe that will be exposed to direct
such that the flow through the structure goes sunlight should be made of ultraviolet resistant
from weir-flow control to pipe-flow control materials and protected by coating or shielding.
without going into orifice-flow control in the Connections of pipe to less flexible pipe or struc-
riser. The inlets and outlets shall be designed
tures must be designed to avoid stress concentra- Anti-seep collars shall be installed around all
tions that could rupture the pipe. conduits through earth fills according to the fol-
lowing criteria:
For dams over 20 feet in effective height, con-
duits are to be reinforced concrete pipe, cast-in- 1. Sufficient collars shall be placed to increase
place reinforced concrete box culverts, corru- the seepage length along the conduit by a
gated steel, ductile iron, welded steel or alumi- minimum of 15 percent of the pipe length lo-
num pipe. The maximum height of fill over any cated within the saturation zone.
principal spillway steel, aluminum, or plastic
pipe must not exceed 25 feet. 2. The assumed normal saturation zone shall be
determined by projecting a line at a slope (4)
Concrete pipe shall have a concrete cradle ex- horizontal to (1) vertical from the point
tending up the sides of the pipe at least 50% of where the normal water elevation meets the
its outside diameter with minimum thickness of upstream slope to a point where this line in-
6 inches. Where a concrete cradle is not needed tersects the invert of the pipe conduit or bot-
for structural reasons, flowable fill may be used tom of the cradle, whichever is lower. For
as described in the CONSTRUCTION Stormwater Management ponds, the phreatic
SPECIFICATIONS section of this standard. line starting elevation shall be the 10-year
Gravel bedding is not permitted. Cantilever out- water elevation.
let sections, if used, shall be designed to with-
stand the cantilever load. Pipe supports shall be 3. Maximum collar spacing shall be 14 times
provided when needed. Other suitable devices the required projection above the pipe. The
such as plunge basin, stilling basin, impact basin, minimum collar spacing shall be 5 times the
or rock riprap spreader should be used to provide required minimum projection.
a safe outlet. Cathodic protection is to be pro-
vided for welded steel and corrugated steel pipe 4. Anti-seep collars should be placed within the
where the need and importance of the structure saturated zone. In cases where the spacing
warrant. Cathodic protection should normally be limit will not allow this, at least one collar
provided for corrugated steel pipe where the will be in the saturated zone.
saturated soil resistivity is less than 4,000 ohms-
cm or the pH is lower than 5. The National 5. All anti-seep collars and their connections to
Handbook of Conservation Practices, Irrigation the conduit shall be watertight and made of
Water Conveyance, Steel Pipeline Standard material compatible with the conduit.
(430-FF), provides criteria for cathodic protec-
tion of welded steel pipes. 6. Collar dimensions shall extend a minimum of
2 feet in all directions around the pipe.
Multiple Conduits - Where multiple conduits are
used, there shall be sufficient space between the 7. Anti-seep collars shall be placed a minimum
conduits and the installed anti-seep collars to al- of two feet from pipe joints except where
low for backfill material to be placed between flanged joints are used.
the conduits by the earth moving equipment and
for easy access by hand operated compaction 8. For pipes with concrete cradles, the projec-
equipment. This distance between conduits shall tion shall be measured from the cradle.
be equal to or greater than half the pipe diameter
but not less than 2 feet. Filter and drainage diaphragms are always rec-
ommended, but are required when the following
Conduit Piping and Seepage Control - Seepage conditions are encountered:
along pipe conduit spillways extending through
the embankment shall be controlled by use of (1) 1. The pond requires design according to TR-
anti-seep collars, or (2) filter and drainage dia- 60.
phragm. Seepage control will not be required on
pipes 6 inches in diameter or less. 2. Embankment soils with high piping potential
such as Unified Classes GM, SM, and ML.
Filter and drainage diaphragms shall be designed cover such as riprap can be effective if protected
in accordance with procedures from NRCS TR- with a properly designed filter between the sand
60, Earth Dams and Reservoirs, Section 6, Prin- drain material and the riprap cover.
cipal Spillways, as described below.
If pipe drain outlets are used, consideration must
The drainage diaphragm shall usually consist of be given to the structural design of the conduit in
sand, meeting the fine concrete aggregate re- resisting external loading and the design life of
quirements (ASTM C-33). A design analysis the pipe must be consistent with the design life
shall be made using Part 633 of the National En- of the dam and physical conditions of the site.
gineering Manual, Chapter 26, Gradation Design Also, the pipe must be designed for capacity and
of Sand and Gravel Filters. size of perforations as outlined in NEH Part 633,
Chapter 26 and Soil Mechanics Note 3. If the
The drainage diaphragm shall be a minimum of 3 pipe corrodes, is crushed by exterior loading, or
ft thick and extend vertically upward and hori- is otherwise damaged, the outlet of the filter dia-
zontally at least three times the conduit outside phragm is lost and a piping failure may occur.
diameter or the width of the cradle, whichever is
greater except that: The design quantity (Q) used to size the outlet
can be calculated by Darcy's Law, Q = kiA
1. The vertical extension need be no higher than where:
the maximum potential reservoir water level, and
k = permeability of the embankment or drain out-
2. The horizontal extension need be no further let material (ft/day)
than 5 feet beyond the sides and slopes of any
excavation made to install the conduit. i = hydraulic gradient where i = h/l
3. The minimum soil cover over any portion of h = head differential (ft)
the filter-drainage diaphragm measured normal
to the nearest embankment surface shall be at l = seepage path (ft)
least 2 feet.
A = area of flow (diaphragm or outlet) (ft2)
It shall extend vertically downward at least 2 ft
beneath the conduit outside diameter or bottom Anti-vortex Devices - Drop inlet spillways are to
of the cradle, whichever is greater. The drainage have adequate anti-vortex devices. Splitter type
diaphragm shall be located immediately down- anti-vortex devices shall be placed in line with
stream of the cutoff trench, approximately paral- the barrel. An anti-vortex device is not required
lel to the centerline of the dam but no further up- if weir control is maintained in the riser through
stream than the centerline of the dam. all flow stages.
The drainage diaphragm shall outlet at the em- Trash Racks - All pipe and inlet structures shall
bankment downstream toe, preferably using a have a trash rack. Openings for trash racks shall
drain backfill envelope continuously along the be no larger than 1/2 of the barrel conduit diame-
pipe to where it exits the embankment. Protect- ter, but in no case less than 6 inches.
ing drain fill from surface erosion will be neces-
sary. Flush grates for trash racks are not acceptable.
Inlet structures that have flow over the top shall
It is required that the outlet for the filter dia- have a non-clogging trash rack such as a hood-
phragm is sized to safely discharge the design type inlet extending a minimum of 8 inches be-
flow. Where a drain backfill envelope is used as low the weir openings, which allows passage of
the outlet, it is recommended that it be designed water from underneath the trash rack into the
so the hydraulic head does not exceed the depth riser.
of the drain outlet. The exposed area of the drain
outlet must also be protected from external attack For inlet structures with solid covered tops, the
such as surface erosion and slope instability due bottom of the cover slab must be set at an eleva-
to horizontal seepage pressures. A weighted toe
tion to prevent orifice flow control before pipe The emergency spillway shall (1) safely pass the
flow control governs. storm design peak or (2) the storm runoff shall
be routed through the reservoir. The routing
Low stage releases, where the opening is larger shall start with the water surface at the elevation
than 6 inches, shall have a non-clogging trash of the crest of the principal spillway, or at the
rack with openings no larger than half the low water surface after 10 days drawdown, which-
flow dimension. ever is higher. The 10-day drawdown shall be
computed from the crest of the emergency spill-
For all low stage releases 6 inches or smaller in way or from the elevation that would be attained
any direction, the emergency spillway design had the entire design storm been impounded,
storm shall be routed assuming the release has whichever is lower. Emergency spillways are to
failed, using storage and discharge only above provide for passage of the design flow at a non-
the elevation of the next opening larger than 6 erosive velocity to a point downstream where the
inches in all directions. This design storm rout- dam will not be endangered.
ing shall not overtop the dam.
Component Parts - Earth spillways are open
Drain Pipe - A pipe with a suitable valve shall channels and usually consist of an inlet channel,
be provided to drain the pool area, where needed level section, and an exit channel. The minimum
for proper pond management. The principal difference in elevation between the crest of the
spillway conduit may serve as a pond drain, emergency spillway and the settled top of dam
when so located, to accomplish this function. shall be 2.0 feet.
Water Supply Pipes or Utilities - All pipes Cross-Section - Earth spillways shall be trape-
through the dam shall have an inside diameter of zoidal and shall be located in undisturbed earth.
not less than 1 1/4 inches. Pipes / utilities not The side slopes shall be stable for the material in
parallel to the axis of the dam shall meet all prin- which the spillway is to be constructed, but not
cipal spillway requirements (i.e. filter diaphragm, steeper than 2:1. The emergency spillway shall
embankment soils, etc.). Pipes / utilities parallel have a bottom width of not less than 8 feet.
to the axis of the dam shall be constructed with
no granular bedding. The inlet channel may be curved to fit existing
topography; however, it should be flared to allow
Earth Emergency Spillways unrestricted flow to the level section. The level
section should be located as near the centerline
Emergency spillways are provided to convey of dam as possible. The level section shall be 25
large flood flows safely past earth embankments. feet in length, and shall be rectangular or square.
An emergency spillway must be provided for
each dam, unless the principal spillway is large Exit channel centerline shall be perpendicular to
enough to pass the routed design hydrograph the level section downstream edge and must be
peak discharge and any trash without overtop- straight for a distance beyond the downstream
ping the dam. The only design that may be util- toe, so that discharges will not reach the earth
ized without an emergency spillway is: a princi- embankment. The grade of the exit channel shall
pal spillway with a cross-sectional area of 3 fall within the range established by discharge re-
square feet or more and an inlet that will not quirement and permissible velocities.
clog, such as a hood-type inlet which allows pas-
sage of water from underneath the trash rack into The crest of any “token” spillway will be located
the riser. at or above the 100-year storm elevation in un-
disturbed earth and have a minimum depth of
Capacity - The minimum capacity of emergency one foot and bottom width of 8 feet.
spillways shall be that required to pass the peak
flow expected from a design storm of the fre- Permissible Velocities - Earth spillways shall be
quency and duration shown in Table 1 less any designed for non-erosive velocities through the
reduction creditable to conduit discharge and de- control section and to a point downstream where
tention storage. the dam will not be endangered. The maximum
permissible velocity for the grass and grass mix-
ture to be used shall be selected from Table 6. will not be allowed within the buffer zone (15
Velocities exceeding these values will require feet from the toe of the dam), and will not be al-
use of linings other than vegetation. lowed within a 25-foot radius around the inlet
structure.
Infiltration / Water Quality Basins – Ponds, ei-
ther excavated or embankment, that are designed Roadway Embankments - Trees and/or shrubs
solely for infiltration or as water quality basins will not be allowed on any embankment, except
will have an emergency spillway. The capacity for dry stormwater management structures that
of the spillway will be determined by the follow- will be utilized as a roadway under all the fol-
ing procedure: lowing conditions:
Pass the routed 100-Year Storm with 1 foot of 1. Plantings may only be on top of the dam
freeboard to the top of dam elevation. Routing along the roadway and/or sidewalks.
will begin at the emergency spillway crest.
2. The top of the dam shall have a minimum of
Structural Emergency Spillways 50-foot top width.
Chutes or drops, when used for principal spill- 3. Plantings will not be allowed on the side
ways or principal-emergency or emergency spill- slopes of the embankment.
ways, shall be designed in accordance with the
principals set forth in the National Engineering 4. Plantings will not be allowed within the
Handbook, Section 5 “Hydraulics”; Section 11 buffer zone (15 feet from the toe of the dam).
“Drop Spillways”; and Section 14 “Chute
Spillways”. The minimum capacity of a struc- 5. Plantings will only be shallow rooted (roots
tural spillway shall be that required to pass the less than 3’ deep) trees or shrubs.
peak flow expected from a design storm of the
frequency and duration shown in Table 1 less any 6. The pond is a “dry” structure (normal pool
reduction creditable to conduit discharge and de- not exceeding 18 inches).
tention storage.
7. A landscape plan showing type and location
Visual Resource Design of planting must be prepared by a Landscape
Architect certifying shallow rooted plants
The visual design of ponds shall be carefully (roots less than 3’ deep) under mature condi-
considered in areas of high public visibility and tions.
those associated with recreation. The underlying
criterion for all visual design is appropriateness. 8. A minimum of 3 feet freeboard above the
The shape and form of ponds, excavated mate- 100-year water surface elevation must be
rial, and plantings are to relate visually to their maintained.
surroundings and to their functions.
9. The structure is a low hazard (Class “a”)
The embankment may be shaped to blend with pond.
the natural topography. The edge of the pond
should be shaped so that it is generally curvilin- Safety
ear rather than rectangular. Excavated material
shall be shaped so that the final form is smooth, Special considerations should be made for safety
flowing, and fitting to the adjacent landscape and access during the design of a pond. Meas-
rather than angular geometric mounds. If feasi- ures to be considered may include fencing, slope
ble, islands may be added for visual interest and benching, access roads, flattened side slopes, etc.
to attract wildlife. When fencing a structure, the fence will be lo-
cated so it will not interfere with the operation of
Trees and Shrubs the emergency spillway.
Excavated Ponds tance equal to the depth of the pond, but not
less than 12 feet from the edge of the pond;
General - Excavated ponds that create a failure
potential through a constructed or created em- 3. Shaped to a designed form that blends visu-
bankment will be designed as embankment ally with the landscape;
ponds. Excavated ponds that include a pipe or
weir outlet control system for urban stormwater 4. Used for low embankment and leveling; or
management shall be designed using the princi-
pal and emergency spillway hydrologic criteria 5. Hauled away.
for Embankment Ponds, Table 1.
Reservoir Area for Wet Ponds
Side Slopes - Side slopes of excavated ponds
shall be such that they will be stable and shall not For most ponds, the topography of the site shall
be steeper than 1 horizontal to 1 vertical. Flatter permit storage of water at a depth and volume
slopes are to be utilized where safety for chil- that ensures a dependable supply, considering
dren, livestock watering, etc. is a design factor. beneficial use, sedimentation, season of use, and
evaporation and seepage losses. Soils in the res-
Perimeter Form - Where the structures are used ervoir shall be impervious enough to minimize
for recreation or are located in high public view, seepage losses or shall be of a type that sealing is
the perimeter or edge should be shaped to a cur- practical.
vilinear form. Excavation and shaping required to permit the
reservoir area to suitably serve the planned pur-
Inlet Protection - When the excavated pond is a pose shall be included in the construction plans.
bypass type and water is being diverted from a
stream, the minimum size inlet line shall be a 4- Reservoirs designed specifically for fish produc-
inch diameter pipe. All state laws concerning tion or wildlife management shall follow design
water use and downstream rights shall be strictly criteria in the standards and specifications for
adhered to. Fish Pond Management (MD-399) and Wildlife
Wetland Habitat Management (MD-644), as ap-
Where surface water enters the pond in a natural propriate.
or excavated channel, the side slope of the pond
shall be protected against erosion.
TABLE 1
Height To Normal
Storage Spillway Capacity5
Watershed Emergency Surface
Height
Structure Area Spwy Crest Area Principal2 Emergency3, 4 Freeboard6
Product1
Class (Acres) (Feet) (Acres) Rural Urban Rural Urban Rural & Urban
NOTES
1) The storage is defined as the original capacity of the reservoir in acre-feet at the elevation of the crest of the emergency spill-
way. The effective height is the difference in elevation in feet between the emergency spillway crest and the lowest point on a
profile taken along the centerline of the dam, excluding the cutoff trench. If there is no emergency spillway, this height shall be to
the top of the dam.
2) Principal - minimum storm to be contained below the crest of the emergency spillway including any combination of temporary
storage and principal spillway discharge.
3) Emergency - minimum storm used to proportion the emergency spillway to meet the limitations for shape, size, velocity and
exit channel. This storm can be handled by any combination of principal spillway discharge, emergency spillway discharge and
storage.
4) For ponds without a separate emergency spillway, the principal spillway functions as the emergency spillway. In this situation,
the principal spillway must comply with the emergency spillway hydrologic criteria.
5) All ponds, which are being designed to meet local stormwater requirements, will be required to use the urban criteria. Storm
duration used shall be 24 hours except where TR-60 is specified.
6) For ponds without a functioning open channel emergency spillway, minimum freeboard will be 2 feet.
TABLE 2
Total Minimum
Height Of Embank- Top Width
ment (Feet)
(Feet)
10 or less 6
11 - 14 8
15 - 19 10
20 - 24 12
25 - 34 14
35 or more 15
Fill Height Pipe Diameter in Inches Fill Height Pipe Diameter in Inches
Over Pipe 24 & Over Pipe 21 &
(Feet) Less 30 36 42 48 (Feet) Less 24 30
1 - 15 16 16 14 10 10 1 - 15 16 14 10
15 - 20 16 12 10 * * 15 - 20 12 10 *
20 - 25 16 10 * * * 20 - 25 10 * *
Fill Height Pipe Diameter (Inches) Fill Height Pipe Diameter in Inches
Over Pipe Flowable Fill Over Pipe
(Feet) 36 42 48 543 603 663 723 (Feet) 30 36 42 48 543
1 - 15 16 16 16 14 14 14 14 1 - 15 16 16 14 10 14
15 - 20 16 16 12 14 14 14 14 15 - 20 16 12 * * *
20 - 25 14 14 10 14 14 14 14 20 - 25 12 * * * *
1
Coatings for corrugated metal shall be as specified by the MD-378 Construction Specifications.
2
Tables 3 and 4 were developed using the modified Spangler equation. Sizes other than those shown
above are not permitted.
3
Must use flowable backfill as specified by the MD-378 Construction Specifications and the pipe must be
bituminous coated.
TABLE 5 TABLE 6
ers, or hand tampers to assure maximum den- etc.) to prevent floating the pipe. When using
sity and minimum permeability. flowable fill, all metal pipe shall be bitumi-
nous coated. Any adjoining soil fill shall be
Embankment Core - The core shall be paral- placed in horizontal layers not to exceed four
lel to the centerline of the embankment as inches in thickness and compacted by hand
shown on the plans. The top width of the tampers or other manually directed compac-
core shall be a minimum of four feet. The tion equipment. The material shall com-
height shall extend up to at least the 10 year pletely fill all voids adjacent to the flowable
water elevation or as shown on the plans. fill zone. At no time during the backfilling
The side slopes shall be 1 to 1 or flatter. The operation shall driven equipment be allowed
core shall be compacted with construction to operate closer than four feet, measured
equipment, rollers, or hand tampers to assure horizontally, to any part of a structure. Under
maximum density and minimum permeabil- no circumstances shall equipment be driven
ity. In addition, the core shall be placed con- over any part of a structure or pipe unless
currently with the outer shell of the embank- there is a compacted fill of 24” or greater
ment. over the structure or pipe. Backfill material
outside the structural backfill (flowable fill)
Structure Backfill zone shall be of the type and quality conform-
ing to that specified for the core of the em-
Backfill adjacent to pipes or structures shall bankment or other embankment materials.
be of the type and quality conforming to that
specified for the adjoining fill material. The Pipe Conduits
fill shall be placed in horizontal layers not to
exceed four inches in thickness and com- All pipes shall be circular in cross section.
pacted by hand tampers or other manually
directed compaction equipment. The material Corrugated Metal Pipe - All of the following
needs to fill completely all spaces under and criteria shall apply for corrugated metal pipe:
adjacent to the pipe. At no time during the
backfilling operation shall driven equipment 1. Materials - (Polymer Coated steel pipe) -
be allowed to operate closer than four feet, Steel pipes with polymeric coatings shall
measured horizontally, to any part of a struc- have a minimum coating thickness of 0.01
ture. Under no circumstances shall equip- inch (10 mil) on both sides of the pipe.
ment be driven over any part of a concrete This pipe and its appurtenances shall con-
structure or pipe, unless there is a compacted form to the requirements of AASHTO
fill of 24” or greater over the structure or Specifications M-245 & M-246 with wa-
pipe. tertight coupling bands or flanges.
Structure backfill may be flowable fill meet- Materials - (Aluminum Coated Steel
ing the requirements of Maryland Department Pipe) - This pipe and its appurtenances
of Transportation, State Highway Administra- shall conform to the requirements of
tion Standard Specifications for Construction AASHTO Specification M-274 with wa-
and Materials, Section 313 as modified. The tertight coupling bands or flanges. Alu-
mixture shall have a 100-200 psi; 28 day un- minum Coated Steel Pipe, when used
confined compressive strength. The flowable with flowable fill or when soil and/or wa-
fill shall have a minimum pH of 4.0 and a ter conditions warrant the need for in-
minimum resistivity of 2,000 ohm-cm. Mate- creased durability, shall be fully bitumi-
rial shall be placed such that a minimum of 6” nous coated per requirements of
(measured perpendicular to the outside of the AASHTO Specification M-190 Type A.
pipe) of flowable fill shall be under (bed- Any aluminum coating damaged or oth-
ding), over and, on the sides of the pipe. It erwise removed shall be replaced with
only needs to extend up to the spring line for cold applied bituminous coating com-
rigid conduits. Average slump of the fill shall pound. Aluminum surfaces that are to be
be 7” to assure flowability of the material. in contact with concrete shall be painted
Adequate measures shall be taken (sand bags,
with one coat of zinc chromate primer or of 1/2 inch greater than the corrugation
two coats of asphalt. depth. Pipes 24 inches in diameter and
larger shall be connected by a 24 inch
Materials - (Aluminum Pipe) - This pipe long annular corrugated band using a
and its appurtenances shall conform to the minimum of 4 (four) rods and lugs, 2 on
requirements of AASHTO Specification each connecting pipe end. A 24-inch
M-196 or M-211 with watertight coupling wide by 3/8-inch thick closed cell circular
bands or flanges. Aluminum Pipe, when neoprene gasket will be installed with 12
used with flowable fill or when soil inches on the end of each pipe. Flanged
and/or water conditions warrant for in- joints with 3/8 inch closed cell gaskets the
creased durability, shall be fully bitumi- full width of the flange is also acceptable.
nous coated per requirements of
AASHTO Specification M-190 Type A. Helically corrugated pipe shall have either
Aluminum surfaces that are to be in con- continuously welded seams or have lock
tact with concrete shall be painted with seams with internal caulking or a neo-
one coat of zinc chromate primer or two prene bead.
coats of asphalt. Hot dip galvanized bolts
may be used for connections. The pH of 4. Bedding - The pipe shall be firmly and
the surrounding soils shall be between 4 uniformly bedded throughout its entire
and 9. length. Where rock or soft, spongy or
other unstable soil is encountered, all such
2. Coupling bands, anti-seep collars, end material shall be removed and replaced
sections, etc., must be composed of the with suitable earth compacted to provide
same material and coatings as the pipe. adequate support.
Metals must be insulated from dissimilar
materials with use of rubber or plastic in- 5. Backfilling shall conform to “Structure
sulating materials at least 24 mils in Backfill”.
thickness.
6. Other details (anti-seep collars, valves,
3. Connections - All connections with pipes etc.) shall be as shown on the drawings.
must be completely watertight. The drain
pipe or barrel connection to the riser shall Reinforced Concrete Pipe - All of the follow-
be welded all around when the pipe and ing criteria shall apply for reinforced concrete
riser are metal. Anti-seep collars shall be pipe:
connected to the pipe in such a manner as
to be completely watertight. Dimple 1. Materials - Reinforced concrete pipe shall
bands are not considered to be watertight. have bell and spigot joints with rubber
gaskets and shall equal or exceed ASTM
All connections shall use a rubber or neo- C-361.
prene gasket when joining pipe sections.
The end of each pipe shall be re-rolled an 2. Bedding - Reinforced concrete pipe con-
adequate number of corrugations to ac- duits shall be laid in a concrete bedding /
commodate the bandwidth. The follow- cradle for their entire length. This bed-
ing type connections are acceptable for ding / cradle shall consist of high slump
pipes less than 24 inches in diameter: concrete placed under the pipe and up the
flanges on both ends of the pipe with a sides of the pipe at least 50% of its out-
circular 3/8 inch closed cell neoprene side diameter with a minimum thickness
gasket, pre-punched to the flange bolt cir- of 6 inches. Where a concrete cradle is
cle, sandwiched between adjacent flanges; not needed for structural reasons, flow-
a 12-inch wide standard lap type band able fill may be used as described in the
with 12-inch wide by 3/8-inch thick “Structure Backfill” section of this stan-
closed cell circular neoprene gasket; and a dard. Gravel bedding is not permitted.
12-inch wide hugger type band with o-
ring gaskets having a minimum diameter
Stabilization
2. Profile along centerline of principal spill- 10. Record seeding plan on drawings or MD-
way. CONS-10.
4. Determine the pipe spillway by storm 4. A profile along the centerline of the prin-
routing using the procedure in the SWM cipal spillway extending at least 100 feet
Pond Design Manual; Chapter 11, EFH; downstream of the fill.
Chapter 6, TR-55; or TR-20.
5. The elevation of the principal spillway
5. Design emergency spillway using EFH crest.
11-61.
6. The elevation of the principal spillway
6. Drawings should show the following as a conduit invert (inlet and outlet).
minimum: profile along centerline of
dam; profile along centerline of emer- 7. The diameter, length, thickness and type
gency spillway; cross section through dam of material for the riser.
at principal spillway; cross section
through emergency spillway; plan view; 8. The diameter, length, and type of material
and construction details & notes and soil for the conduit.
logs.
20. Technical Release No. 77, Design and 21. National Engineering Handbook, Part
Installation of Flexible Conduits, 633, Chapter 26, Gradation Design of
USDA, Natural Resources Conserva- Sand and Gravel Filters, USDA,
tion Service, 1990. Natural Resources Conservation Ser-
vice, October 1994.
ROADWAY EMBANKMENT
DESIGN CRITERIA
Yes
No
MEETS SMALL POND CRITERIA, AND MDE DAM SAFETY
CLASS "A" REVIEW
Yes
Yes