On Jan. 9, 2017, Guidelines on Dam Safety Evaluation (SL 258-2017), a new version of MWR standard, mainly drafted by NHRI and MWR Dam Safety Management Center and co-drafted by HoHai University, was issued by MWR and will be formally implemented on Apr. 9, 2017.

The new version will replace the old one (SL 258-2000). The major revisions are made as following. 1) Extending its scope of application; 2) Putting forward different requirements on dam safety evaluation for the first time and for a later time; 3) Simplifying the dam safety evaluation of small-scale reservoirs lacking fundamental data; 4) Combining the requirements on fundamental data in different chapters of the old version; 5) Adding new chapters of in-situ safety inspection and detection, and data analysis of safety monitoring; 6) Adjusting the chapter order and improving the contents in the chapters of engineering quality evaluation, operational management evaluation, metal structure safety evaluation, comprehensive evaluation of dam safety. The new version is of stronger maneuverability and practicability, more suitable to the practical demands on reservoir dam safety management.

The old version, as a supporting technical standard to Dam Safety Appraisal Methods, had played an irreplaceable role in safeguarding reservoir dam safety operation, standardizing and guiding dam safety appraisal, improving the rehabilitation prophase work quality of diseased reservoirs, and ensuring the pertinence and scientificity of dam rehabilitation. Its revision not only meets the demands of water resources development and technical progress, and further accomplishes its original functions, but also adapts to the needs of transforming the traditional dam safety management to a modern one, which will generate remarkable economic and social benefits.