Enhancing the safety and resilience of dams in the context of climate change and extreme hydrological events

This technical note provides analytical guidance to task teams and clients for improving the climate resilience of large, high-risk hydropower and multi-purpose dams that have already been evaluated via climate risk assessment methodologies. It addresses inter alia the impacts of precipitation and extreme flows on a dam’s structural and operational safety; the way in which these extreme hydro-meteorological conditions are expected to be exacerbated by climate change; and adaptation measures for enhancing the climate resilience of dams, which can be incorporated into the technical design of dams as well as in the upgrading of dams and in operational procedures.

The intent of this technical note is to provide task teams and other stakeholders working on climate-resilient water security, disaster risk management, and infrastructure improvements with information on the analytical tools and processes for (a) incorporating climate change impacts and related risks into the design of dams, and (b) providing guidance on approaches and adaptation measures needed for improving the climate resilience of new and existing dams.