567—73.22(455B) Operating plan. A written operating plan shall be prepared for any dam with gates or other movable structures that must operate or be operated during times of flood or to provide a minimum downstream release rate. Development of the operating plan is considered part of the design process. An operating plan shall include, at a minimum, the following items:
	73.22(1) Responsibility. The operating plan shall outline and identify the necessary personnel who will be present to operate the equipment or, in the case of automatic equipment, to monitor it and ensure it is functioning properly.
	73.22(2) Operating circumstances. The circumstances under which operation must occur shall be clearly defined, and a means shall be provided to ensure that operating personnel are present when necessary.
	73.22(3) Method of operation. The means and methods by which operation is to be conducted shall be clearly defined and shall include, at a minimum, the following items: rates and sequences for opening or closure of gates, target water levels, and target flow rates.
	73.22(4) Flood capacity. The operating plan shall allow for safe passage of all floods up to and including the freeboard design flood. Flood discharges through the dam greater than the design peak flood inflows into the impoundment shall not be permitted.
	73.22(5) Low flow. The operating plan shall address low flow situations and shall specify a minimum release rate if required by the department and how the minimum release will be provided and maintained.
	73.22(6) Equipment. Consideration shall be given to and allowance made for the possible failure of or malfunctioning of the equipment.
	73.22(7) Discharge measurement. A means shall be provided to determine the discharge through the control structures, especially where operation is to maintain a minimum downstream flow. Stage discharge tables, streamflow gages or other means of obtaining discharge readings shall be provided. The settings of control structures shall be easily read.
[ARC 5899C, IAB 9/8/21, effective 10/13/21]