Browser based information technologies for dam surveillance and monitoring

Instrumentation and monitoring systems are an integral part of many dam safety programmes. By monitoring such key indicators as foundation water pressure levels and cyclical structural movements, operators of critical hydroelectric projects can establish early warning and detection systems to avert disastrous failures. Despite advancements in instrument gauges and data collection, however, many systems in use today are hindered by the lack of a real-time reporting system providing timely and definitive interpretation of data trends. To address this problem, a prototype system was recently implemented for the Boundary hydro project, which is owned and operated by Seattle City Light, USA.