Dam Safety Enhancement Program
In China, about 98’000 dams are dedicated to flood control, irrigation, water supply and hydropower production. The vast majority of these reservoirs are dedicated to flood protection, irrigation, and water supply. Many of the dams present hazardous safety conditions, with inadequate surveillance procedures. In view of a changing climate, the role of these dams will increase in importance. The Dam Safety Enhancement Program (DaSEP) supports the Chinese authorities in improving the dam safety management.
| Country/region | Topic | Period | Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
|
China |
Climate change and environment
Environmental policy
|
01.01.2013
- 31.12.2017 |
CHF 714’850
|
- Direct project partners: the Ministry of Water Resources, and possibly the State Electricity Regulatory Commission as well as Chinese engineers and technicians.
- Ultimate beneficiaries: with the new dam safety plan, the risk of breaching dams can be monitored and reduced. The population is thus protected from losses in life and infrastructure. Water management for agriculture, flood and drought protection and the industry is supported.
- Dam safety management plan: the plan is finalised and put into practice.
- Capacity development: education and training for Dam Safety Management engineers and technicians, as well as representatives of the Chinese Ministry of Water Resources and possibly the State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
- Swiss Private Sector
- Stucky Engineers (expert advices, trainings), the Chinese Ministry of Water Resources (internship to Federal Office for Energy), the Chinese State Electricity Regulatory Commission (internship to Swiss Federal Office for Energy).
-
Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation GENERAL ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION
Sub-Sector according to the OECD Developement Assistance Commitiee categorisation Environmental policy and administrative management
Type of support Official development assistance (ODA)
Type of collaboration Bilateral cooperation
Finance type Aid grant
Aid Type Mandate without fiduciary fund
Tied/untied aid Untied aid
Project number 7F08150
| Background |
Many of the 98’000 dams in China, that contribute to flood control, irrigation, water supply and hydropower production present hazardous conditions. Proactive safety management procedures are lacking. Inadequate surveillance, coupled with increased hazard under changing climate conditions cause high risk of collapse with devastating consequences. According to statistics, 3’462 reservoir dams have breached between 1954 and 2001. Dam safety enhancement is a top priority of China’s authorities. |
| Objectives |
The ultimate goal of the project is the reduction of human and material losses, through the improved safety management of small and large dams in China. With improved dam safety, the project contributes to improve the water and flood risk management under a changing climate, having a positive impact on securing arable land, habitations and infrastructure. |
| Target groups |
|
| Medium-term outcomes |
|
| Results |
Results from previous phases: The Chinese Ministry of Water Resources has reached a thorough understanding of a well-established dam safety regulatory framework. It is about to establish a new Dam Safety Management Plan with clear roles and responsibilities for the small dams, that represent 96% of all dams. Visual inspections of seven dams supported the establishment of Dam Safety Procedures and training of responsible persons at all level in the Sichuan province. The Ministry of Water Resources has expressed the wish to further cooperate with the training for nationwide coverage. On the other hand, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission manifested its interest in the project, with relation to the large dams for hydropower generation. |
| Directorate/federal office responsible |
SDC |
| Credit area |
Development cooperation |
| Project partners |
Contract partner Private sector |
| Budget | Current phase Swiss budget CHF 714’850 Swiss disbursement to date CHF 649’524 |
| Project phases |
Phase 1 01.01.2013 - 31.12.2017 (Completed) |
