Table 3: Engineering guidelines for the evaluation of hydro power projects

Hazard Classification Potential for Loss of Human Life Potential Downstream Property Damage
High Clear danger to human life. Includes residential, commercial, industrial rural and agricultural areas. Permanently established or organized recreational areas or activities. Serious damage potential to homes, agricultural, industrial and commercial facilities, important public utilities, main highways or railways.
Significant Clear danger to human life. Includes residential, commercial, industrial rural and agricultural areas. Permanently established or organized recreational areas or activities. Significant damage potential to isolated homes and structures in predominantly agricultural and rural areas, secondary highways or minor railways. Interruption of use or service of relatively important public utilities.
Low No expected danger to human life. Typically rural and agricultural areas or where release of impounded storage in generally confined to the river channel. Some damage potential to farm buildings, structures and limited agricultural land in predominantly rural areas. Includes township and country roads.