Maich dam overtopping emergency, Renfrewshire—engineering and emergency response aspects

An emergency arose at Maich dam, near Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland, following severe damage to the dam by overtopping in a flood on 1 August 2008. The danger posed was averted successfully by emptying the reservoir and demolishing the embankment dam in spite of adverse weather. Aspects of the emergency and the response actions taken are described jointly by the authors in their roles of qualified reservoir engineer and emergency planning officer.