Dam safety alert systems are important to provide early warnings in the event of potential dam failures or dangerous water releases. These systems monitor operating metrics to detect abnormalities, allowing for the appropriate activation of alarms. Effective alert systems help minimize the impact of floods, reduce economic losses, and ensure community resilience, making them a vital component of modern dam safety management.
In 2024, the Sugar Hollow Dam experienced a mechanical issue with its affixed rubber bladder that allowed excess water to flow downstream. The event prompted RWSA to reassess the dam’s redundancies related to the bladder and to explore potential alert systems.
Improvements to the rubber bladder, its pneumatic piping systems, and control systems were completed in early July 2025. RWSA has shifted its focus to procuring a new alarm system that will alert downstream residents to potential high-water events.
RWSA plans to install an interim prototype siren system in the summer of 2025. This system includes a high-mount audible siren located adjacent to the dam, information signage alerting individuals about the nearby dam, and letters to property owners educating them about the system. RWSA will field-evaluate the features of the siren system. If the test pilot goes well, RWSA plans to expand the alert system to its other dams.
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