Review of TVA's Dam Safety Program

We reviewed the TVA dam safety inspection process to determine whether it (1) met federal guidelines for dam safety, (2) was being followed by Dam Safety inspection personnel, and (3) was adequately supported by an information database. In summary, we determined River Operations' (1) inspection process met Federal Emergency Management Agency guidelines for periodic dam safety inspection programs; (2) inspection personnel appeared to adhere to the process for identifying, monitoring, and correcting inspection deficiencies based on the five dams we reviewed; (3) information databases provided adequate support for the inspection process; and (4) management had implemented planned corrective actions in response to recommendations in our 2001 audit. However, our review found (1) 57 out of 81 work orders/requests related to Maintenance and Repair (M&R) identified by the dam safety inspections for the five dams we reviewed were not completed by the estimated due date on the inspection report, and (2) there was a historical trend of not completing M&R items by the estimated due date. We recommended the Senior Vice President of River Operations consider implementing a prioritization and scheduling process that ensures timely completion of M&R projects. Management agreed with our findings and has initiated or plans to initiate corrective action.