1. Dams and Impoundments 2010 Industry Training Workshop Jim Kline
DEP- Bureau of Oil and Gas Management

2. Objectives: Typical Scenarios
Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
What permits (if any) might be needed
Construction Standards for Impoundments
Groundwater Monitoring
Current impoundment trends

3. Typical Scenarios Dams on a watercourse Dams on a watercourse
Dams not on a watercourse

4. Dams on a Watercourse Greater than 100 acre drainage area, OR
Greater than 15’ maximum depth, OR
Greater than 50 acre-feet maximum storage

5. Drainage area
The drainage area is the total surface area upstream of a point on a stream, where the water from rain or snowmelt which is not absorbed into the ground flows over the ground surface back into the stream to finally reach that point on the stream.

6. Drainage area

7. What the heck is an Acre Foot?
A measurement associated with a larger volume, in this case water storage. It is the amount of water required to cover an acre one foot deep.
An acre foot is equivalent to 325,851 gallons of water
50 acre feet is equal to 16,292,550 gallons of water

8. MAXIMUM DEPTH
Dmax > 15 ft

9. The bottom of the Pit or Impoundment must be constructed at least 20” above the seasonal high groundwater table. (ref Ch (a) (4) (iii))

10. Dams on a Watercourse
Greater than 100 acre
drainage area OR
Greater than 15’ maximum depth OR
Greater than 50 acre-feet maximum storage
If this is the scenario, then a Dam Safety Permit is required from DEP’s Division of Dam Safety

11. Dams not on a watercourse
Greater than 15’ maximum depth
AND
Greater than 50 acre-feet maximum storage

12. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams

13. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
1. Fresh or frac water impoundment pits or dams at a well location must meet the requirements of PA Code Chapter – and the Design, Construction and Maintenance Standards for Pits and Dam Embankments Associated with Impoundments for Oil and Gas Wells. Plans must include an acknowledgement that these pits and impoundment dams will meet the standards. Proceed to Section 6 and Section 8 and submit to the appropriate Department Regional Oil and Gas Program Office.

14. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
2. On-stream intake dams. (Dams/weirs constructed for water withdrawal from streams. Height and storage are typically minimal.)
2.A A dam/weir will be constructed on-stream solely for the purpose of water withdrawals:
No: Proceed to Section 3 or Section 4 as appropriate.
Yes: Answer the following questions:

15. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
Is maximum depth greater than 15 feet? Yes No
Is maximum storage volume greater than 50 acre-feet? Yes No
Is contributory drainage area greater than 100 acres? Yes No
If the answer to all three of these questions is no, an Environmental Assessment approval is required from the Department’s Dam Safety Program.
Please submit form 3140-PM-WE0002, Environmental Assessment Information Sheet and information required on that form’s checklist to the Department’s Dam Safety Office. Any excavation of the stream, wetland or floodway upstream of this intake dam to expand storage volume will require a Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit from the appropriate Department Regional Office.

16. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
If the answer to any one of these questions is yes, a Dam Permit may be required from the Department’s Dam Safety Program. Answer the following questions:
Is height of dam/weir above streambed elevation greater than 3.0 feet? Yes No
Is width of stream at the dam site greater than 50 feet? Yes No
Is this stream a wild trout stream designated by the PA Fish and Boat Commission? Yes No

17. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
If the answer to all three of these questions is no, the Dam Permit for this dam is waived pursuant to §105.12(a)(1) of the Department’s regulations. Contact the Department’s Dam Safety Program for information requirements necessary for adding to Pennsylvania’s Dam Inventory.
If the answer to any one of these questions is yes, a Dam Permit is required from the Department’s Dam Safety Program. Please complete form 3140-PM-WE0001, “Application for a Dam Permit”, and information required on that form’s checklist to the Department’s Dam Safety Office. Utilize the Design, Construction and Maintenance Standards for Pits and Dam Embankments Associated with Impoundments for Oil and Gas Wells to develop plans and specifications.

18. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
3. Centralized fresh water impoundments.
3.A A dam embankment will be constructed for the purpose of storing fresh water for the drilling or fracing at more than one well location:
No: Fresh water will be impounded in a pit. Proceed to Section 7 for additional information requirements.
Yes: Provide the following depth and volume information and proceed to Section 3.B.

19. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
Maximum depth of water that could be impounded by the earthfill dam. See Exhibit 1.       Feet.
(Measure from the inside toe-of-slope of dam to top-of-dam embankment).
Maximum storage volume of water that could be impounded by the earthfill dam. See Exhibit 1.       acre-feet
Drainage area to the earthfill dam, if located on-stream, then proceed to Section 3.B.       Acres.
If located off-stream, proceed to Section 3.C.

20. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
3.B If the dam embankment used to impound fresh water is located on a watercourse, complete the following:
Is maximum depth greater than 15 feet? Yes No
Is maximum storage volume greater than 50 acre-feet? Yes No
Is contributory drainage area greater than 100 acres? Yes No

21. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
If the answer to any one of these questions is yes, a Dam Permit is required from the Department’s Dam Safety Program. Please submit form 3140-PM-WE0001, “Application for a Dam Permit”, and information required on that form’s checklist to the Department’s Dam Safety Office.

22. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
If the answer to all three of these questions is no, an Environmental Assessment approval is required from the Department’s Dam Safety Program. Please submit form 3140-PM-WE002, Environmental Assessment Information and information required on that form’s checklist to the Department’s Dam Safety Office. Any excavation of the stream, wetland or floodway upstream of this intake dam to expand storage volume will require a Water Obstruction and Encroachment Permit from the appropriate Department Regional Office.

23. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
3.C If the dam embankment used to impound fresh water is not located on a watercourse, complete the following:
Is the dam located in a FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) designated floodway? Yes No
If the answer is yes, a Dam Permit may be required from the Department’s Dam Safety Program and/or a restudy of the FEMA Floodway may be required to assess the impacts of the dam on the floodway. Coordination will also be required with the local municipality to assure that they remain eligible for the National Flood Insurance Program. Please submit information required in Section 6 to the Department’s Dam Safety Office for the determination of the need for a permit or other approvals.

24. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
If this answer is no, continue with the following questions:
Is maximum depth greater than 15 feet? Yes No
Is maximum storage volume greater than 50 acre-feet? Yes No
If the answer to both of these questions is yes, a Dam Permit is required from the Department’s Dam Safety Program. Please submit form 3140-PM-WE0001, “Application for a Dam Permit”, and information required on that form’s checklist to the Department’s Dam Safety Office.

25. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
If the answer to either or both of the above questions is no and the dam directly impacts a wetland, an Environmental Assessment approval is required from the Department’s Dam Safety Program. Please submit form 3140-PM-WE0002 Environmental Assessment Information Sheet and information required on that form’s checklist to the Department’s Dam Safety Office. Utilize the Design, Construction and Maintenance Standards for Pits and Dam Embankments Associated with Impoundments for Oil and Gas Wells to develop plans and specifications.
If the answer to either or both of the above questions is no and the dam does not impact a wetland, no dam permit is required.

26. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
4. Centralized frac water storage (Fluids other than fresh water (e.g. drilling or fracing fluids)):
4.A If a dam embankment will be constructed to create this storage facility, proceed to Section 4.B.
If the storage facility is to be an excavated lined pit, the facility must meet the requirements of PA Code Chapter – and the Design, Construction and Maintenance Standards for Pits and Dam Embankments Associated with Impoundments for Oil and Gas Wells. Plans must include an acknowledgement that this pit will meet the standards. Complete information requirements in Section 6 and Section 8 and submit to the appropriate Department Regional Oil and Gas Program Office.

27. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
4.B A dam embankment will be constructed to impound frac water and the following describes this impoundment:
Length       ft.
Width       ft.
Maximum potential depth of frac water       ft.
Storage Volume ____ ac.-ft.

28. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
4.C This dam embankment to be constructed to impound frac water is: (Please check appropriate box below)
a. Located on a watercourse.
b. Located off-stream, but impacts a wetland.
c. Located off-stream and in FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) Floodway.
d. Located off-stream, storage volume exceeds 50 acre feet and depth of impoundment exceeds 15 feet as noted in 4.B above.
e. Located off-stream, storage volume is less than 50 acre feet or depth of impoundment is less than 15 feet as noted in 4.B above.

29. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
If any of the boxes a through d are checked, a Dam Permit is required from the Department’s Dam Safety Program. Please submit Form 3140-PM-WE0001, “Application for a Dam Permit”, and information required on that form’s checklist to the Department’s Dam Safety Office. Also, submit information requirements in Section 8. Utilize the Design, Construction and Maintenance Standards for Pits and Dam Embankments Associated with Impoundments for Oil and Gas Wells to develop plans and specifications.
If box e, is checked, proceed to Section 5.

30. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
5. Potential Impacts of Dam Failure
Failure of this frac water impoundment dam has the potential to:
Impact inhabited structures: Yes No
Cause significant property damage: Yes No
Flood roadways: Yes No

31. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
If yes to any of the dam failure impact questions, a Dam Permit is required from the Department’s Dam Safety Program. Please submit Form 3140-PM-WE0001, “Application for a Dam Permit”, and information required on that form’s checklist to the Department’s Dam Safety Office. Also, submit information requirements in Section 8. Utilize the Design, Construction and Maintenance Standards for Pits and Dam Embankments Associated with Impoundments for Oil and Gas Wells to develop plans and specifications.

32. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
If no to all of the questions above, a Dam Permit from the Department’s Regional Bureau of Oil and Gas Management office is required. Please submit form 5500-PM-OG0084, “Application For A Dam Permit For A Centralized Impoundment Dam for Marcellus Shale Gas Wells”, and information required on that form’s checklist to the Department’s Regional Bureau of Oil and Gas Management Office. Also, complete information requirements in Section 8. Utilize the Design, Construction and Maintenance Standards for Pits and Dam Embankments Associated with Impoundments for Oil and Gas Wells to develop plans and specifications.

33. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
6. Attach a copy of USGS 7½ minute quadrangle map showing the location of the pit or dam and attach a site plan and typical cross-sections of the pit or dam.

34. Worksheet for Permitting of Marcellus Shale Pits and Dams
7. If a pit is proposed to store fresh water, no Dam Permit is required. However, if the pit is located on a watercourse, in the floodway of a watercourse, or in a wetland, a Water Obstruction and Encroachments Permit is required.
Please submit Form 3930-PM-WE0036 Joint Permit Application and information on that form’s checklist to the Department’s appropriate Regional Office, Permitting and Technical Services Section.
8. Attach site restoration plan for all frac water impoundment pits and dams. Frac water impoundments pits or dam sites must be restored within nine months after completion of the last well that was serviced by the impoundment.

35. Centralized Impoundments

36. Well Site Pits and Impoundments
Pits and impoundments located on the drilling site will be authorized by the Oil and Gas Well Permit. These impoundments must follow the Construction Standards.

37. Construction Standards for Dams and Embankments
Associated with Pits and
Impoundments for Oil and
Gas Wells

38. Construction Standards
The operator may use alternate construction standards if they meet or exceed the Department’s Construction Standards, if they are developed, sealed and certified by a professional engineer registered in Pennsylvania; and if they are approved through a Dam P Application process through the Department’s Division of Dam Safety prior to commencement of construction.

39. Construction Standards
Soils to be used for dam embankment construction must be classified in accordance with ASTMD-2487 (Unified Soils Classification). A minimum of three samples must be classified.
Soils acceptable for dam embankment construction are limited to GC, GM, SC, SM, CL or ML. Soils must contain a minimum of 20% of Plus No. 200 sieve materials.

40. Gradation Sheet GC- Clayey gravels GM- Silty gravels SC- Clayey sands
SM- Silty sands
CL- Inorganic clays low to
medium plasticity
ML- Inorganic silts and fine sand, slight plasticity

41. Site Preparation
Foundation of dam embankment must be stripped and grubbed to a depth of two feet prior to any placement & compaction of earthfill.
Any springs encountered in the foundation area should be drained to the outside/downstream toe of the embankment with a drain section two foot by two foot in dimension consisting of PennDOT Type A sand, compacted by hand tamper. No geotextiles to be used around sand. The last three feet of this drain at the outside/downstream slope should be AASHTO #8 material.

42. Compaction
All compaction for embankments must be done with a sheepsfoot or pad roller.
Loose lift thickness must be 9” or less.
Maximum particle size is 6”.
A minimum of 5 passes of the compaction equipment over the entire surface of each lift is required.
Compaction to visible non-movement of the embankment material is required.

43. Soil Placement and Compaction

44. Pad Rollers

45. Design Criteria Minimum embankment top width of 12’ is required.
Minimum inside & outside sideslopes of 3H:1V are required.
All exposed embankment slopes must be limed, fertilized, seeded and mulched. Permanent vegetative ground covering compliance with PA Code Chapter must be established upon completion of dam construction.
2’ of lined freeboard must be maintained at all times.

46. Embankment Top Width
Minimum 12’

47. Take a closer look…..

48. Failure to properly compact movement of the embankment material

49. Failure to maintain 2 feet of lined freeboard

50. Selecting the Correct Liner

51. The Geosynthetic Institute- GM13
A standard specification for High Density Polyethylene Geomembranes
Addresses the amount of recycled or re-worked material allowed in the formulation of the liner
(No more than 10%)
No Post consumer resins of any type can be added
CH 78 addresses the EPA Method 9090, The Compatibility of Wastes and Liners

52. CH 78 addresses the minimum thickness of liners used for the disposal of residual wastes. How thick must a liner be for these centralized impoundments? The large volumes of stored liquid and hydrostatic pressures creates an increased potential for possible failure. Only 30 mil liners are allowed. Only a synthetic liner can be used. Compacted clays or earthen materials are not allowed

53. Failed 20 mil liners (two separate locations)

54. Failed 20 mil liner

55. Groundwater Monitoring

56. Groundwater Monitoring
An operator shall collect background data prior to the construction of the impoundment. This attempt is to establish baseline background data for the groundwater where the impoundment is to be constructed. In the event that the impoundment was already constructed, safe drinking water levels apply.

57. Groundwater Monitoring
A groundwater monitoring/protection plan is required for all impoundments that will remain longer than 9 months.
Applying the Residual Waste Regulations... CH 289 and 299 address the number and placement of monitoring wells for these types of impoundments.
The well casing standards are also addressed in these chapters.
The operator will monitor the groundwater (at a minimum) on a monthly basis. The operator will also maintain this data. The gathered information must be made available upon DEP request.

58. Groundwater Monitoring
The following parameters (at a minimum) must be monitored and tested for: pH
Specific Conductance
TDS
Chloride
Sulfates

59. Groundwater Monitoring
In the event of groundwater contamination, the operator must notify the appropriate regional DEP office within 24 hours of the incident.

60. Groundwater Monitoring
Prior to restoration, the operator must affirm and attest that no contamination occurred.
If contamination occurred, the operator must first affirm that the contamination was mitigated and corrected.
Immediately following the restoration of the impoundment, the monitoring wells then shall be plugged.

61. Leak Detection
Typically is comparable to a French drain system that is installed between the upper impoundment liner and a lower second containment liner. A riser pipe is connected to the drain system allowing an operator to monitor for the presence of water in this zone.
Typical Problems with this system are ground water intrusion and liner failures or punctures.

62. Use of a subbase
As previously mentioned, the subgrade should be well compacted and present a surface free of rocks, stones or anything that might puncture the liner.
There should be no abrupt grade changes, voids or surface discontinuities.

63. Use of a subbase
In the event that it is impractical to remove all of the rocks from the subgrade, at least six inches of screened soil or other acceptable material must be used to provide a protective cushion
A cushioning geotextile is also acceptable and recommended.
In the event that protrusions can not be removed or protected against, the impoundment is likely to
FAIL.

64. Impoundment (under construction) 3 to 1 inside and outside slopes min 12’ embankment top width proper compaction maximum particle size is less than 6” screened soil as a subbase

65. Do not utilize organic matter as a subbase

66. The Decomposition of organic matter produces gas and results in the potential for the liner to burst or rupture!

67. Vegetation
Dam embankments must be maintained with a grassy vegetative cover, free of brush and trees.

68. Reasonable protection from unauthorized acts of third parties Ch 78
Reasonable protection from unauthorized acts of third parties Ch (a) (3).

69. Restoration
Prior to the site restoration, all of the liquid fraction of waste must be disposed of at an approved treatment facility or reused at another well site.
If the remaining residual waste meets CH 78 regulations relating to:
the Characteristics of toxicity, the contaminants in the leachate from the waste
does not exceed 50 times the safe drinking water level and the concentration of
contaminants in the leachate from the waste does not exceed 50 times the primary maximum contaminant level…
then the waste can be disposed of in accordance with CH 78 on-site.

70. Restoration
If the remaining solid waste fraction was generated from only one well site, then the residual solid waste and liner can be disposed of in accordance with CH 78.
If the residual waste does not meet CH 78 requirements, then the residual waste must be hauled off-site and then disposed of at an approved disposal facility.
If the residual solid waste was generated from MULTIPLE well sites, then this waste and liner must be removed and hauled to an approved landfill. This portion of waste can not be land applied or encapsulated on site.

71. Jim Kline
Mineral Resources Program Specialist Division of Resource Management & Well Development DEP - Bureau of Oil & Gas Management