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37 dams under its management to prioritize people’s safety

To prepare for floods in the wet season that strikes South Korea each summer, K-water has worked diligently to put all available safety measures in place. When the whole country was engulfed in torrential rainfall in July, K-water maximized its water-controlling capacity through proactive dam operation and management. For a total of 37 dams nationwide under its management, K-water undertook the following measures to prepare for the flood-prone wet season: △ maximized the water storage capacity of individual dams △ released water proactively according to changing rainfalls and △ adjusted the amount of water released flexibly on account of the circumstances in the lower region of the dam.
A dam’s water storage capacity has been increased by creating more space used for flood control than what is available in the original design of the dam. K-water set the maximum water level average 4 to 5m lower than the maximum flooding level in the wet season. As a result, K-water has secured 7.3 billion㎥ of water storage capacity, and reduced the flood water amount that funneled into the lower region by storing more water with its expanded flood control capacity when floods occurred.

Active & flexible release control

In July when torrential rainfalls were forecast, dams released water in advance before the water level reached its maximum that was set higher than the initial level. During the recent floods in the wet season, 13 multi-purpose dams released water for power generation, and opened their gates before the maximum levels were reached, securing a total of 1.53 billion ㎥ in storage capacity and greater flood control capacity. The dams implemented flexible release control as well as proactive release control. K-water and the Flood Control Center responsible for controlling flood at rivers worked together to consider the rainfall forecast, dams’ water levels and flood status at rivers, and flexibly controlled the amount of water discharge from the dams. When flood water inundated a dam due to torrential rainfall, the additional flood control capacity that had been secured in advance was put to use to release a smaller amount of water than the flood water that flowed toward the dam, with only 1~48% of the inflow discharged at the inflow peak. K-water analyzes water levels based on cutting-edge technology enabled with digital twin and AI for optimal decision-making on water releases while taking account of flood-caused damages in the lower region and river safety in tandem. K-water maintains accident-free, stable operations of its dams by providing thorough and strict guidance for residents in the lower region of dams. All K-water employees are fully committed to staying vigilant and concentrating their efforts to minimize damages until the wet season passes.

* Planned flood water level: The maximum level of flood water that a dam can store.

* Maximum flood level in wet season: The level is not to be exceeded during the flood-prone wet season (June 21~ Sept. 20) except for the purpose of controlling a flood. In the event of a flood, the level can be exceeded to utilize the flood-controlling capacity.

* Management criteria (maximum water level): Level temporarily set lower than the maximum flooding level in the wet season to secure additional space available for the dam’s flood control

* Flood control capacity (dam design): Level between the actual flooding in the wet season level and the planned corresponding level.

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