Three dams, including the landmark Hoover, are upgrading their protection with security video analytics, where, in some cases, the electronics make alarm decisions and send a warning to an appropriate official.
The Bureau of Reclamation awarded the integration team of Sim-G Technologies, Washington, D.C., and Integrated Security Solutions (ISS), Kalispell, Mont., a contract for the engineering, design and installation of upgrades to the electronic security systems of Hoover, Davis and Parker dams.
These systems will be installed to increase the safety and security of visitors, employees and assets at the dams and will incorporate intelligent video surveillance solutions from Phoenix IVS of Miami.
With increased awareness of improving safety and security at what has become some of the country’s most treasured landmarks, the Bureau of Reclamation has determined the need to incorporate the latest technology in video surveillance that incorporate video analytic software to detect, track and send real-time alerts to patrolling security personnel when people, vehicles or other objects of interest are determined to have breached pre-determined security rules. The technology can be integrated into the existing video surveillance camera system already in place or with new installations, as required, processing the analytics at the network edge.
One business advantage: The security team at the Hoover, Davis and Parker dams can proactively determine, in real-time, without human intervention, when a security breach is occurring and alert the most appropriate security personnel to respond immediately, often before a more serious event can occur.
The integration teams of Sim-G and ISS have integrated these security solutions in over 40 other dams and locks within the U.S.
“The solution is perfect for this project of adding content analysis to the Hoover, Parker, and Davis dams’ existing video surveillance systems since it is a modular, compact design that processes analytics at the edge of the network and conserves valuable network bandwidth,” said Marquis Laude, president, Integrated Security Solutions, Inc. Work has already begun on upgrading the security systems at Hoover Dam and is expected to be completed by September 2007, with Davis and Parker dams to follow.
SIDEBAR: Homeland Security Gives a ‘Dam’
The Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety state that reasonable judgments need to be made based on the size, complexity and hazard classification of each dam. The guidelines are at http://www.usbr.gov/ssle/dam_safety/dsg.pdf. The policy provides the minimum necessary requirements for bureau dam safety and security programs. The policy applies to high- and significant-hazard dams as defined by the Department of Homeland Security and Federal Emergency Management Agency for the hazard classification of dams (i.e., a classification of the potential for loss of life or economic damage if those dams were to fail).
