This is a brief description of studies that exemplify the methods and approaches that have been developed and used by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) researchers in conducting integrated assessments. See the complete list of Integrated Assessment Briefs to find out more about ORNL's efforts in integrated assessment. Contact Mike Farrell (farrellmp@ornl.gov) for more information.

Safety Analysis Upgrade

Flood assessment of the Scioto River.

What will be the consequences of a 10,000-year recurrence interval flood to the safety of operations at the Gaseous Diffusion Plants?

Regional flooding of the Ohio River in Kentucky and the Scioto River in Ohio having at least a 10,000-year recurrence interval will not jeopardize occupant safety, continued operation, or the containment of hazardous materials at the Paducah or Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plants. Flooding as a result of locally intense storms having a recurrence interval of 10,000 years will result in ponding over the Paducah and Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant sites. Improved emergency preparedness procedures would be sufficient to ensure protection of occupant safety, continued operation, and the containment of hazardous materials from flooding of the site.

Intense local storms with a recurrence interval of 10,000 years would result in excessive ponding on the roofs of the main diffusion plant buildings. The ponding would lead to roof collapse unless the roof drainage system can be assured to be fully functional during the storm. Building modifications will be required if such assurances cannot be demonstrated.

Johnson, R. O., J. C. Wang, and D. W. Lee. 1992. Regional flood assessment of the Paducah and Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plants. In Proceedings of the Third DOE Natural Phenomena Hazards Mitigation Conference, St. Louis. Conducted by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, Calif.

Johnson, R. O., J. C. Wang, and D. W. Lee. 1994. Local drainage analysis of the Paducah and Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plants during an extreme storm. In Proceedings of the Fourth DOE Natural Phenomena Hazards Mitigation Conference, Atlanta. Conducted by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, Calif.

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Integrated Assessment Briefs. 1995. ORNL/M-4227. Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN.