Potential dam safety deficiency

A condition that currently does not significantly affect the safety of the dam, but is capable of becoming a dam safety deficiency; for example, continuing erosion, tree growth, or a potential adverse response of the dam to an unusual loading condition such as a PMF or MCE. A potential dam safety deficiency is considered to exist when critical analysis parameters are unknown such that additional investigations and studies are needed to conclusively determine whether or not a dam safety deficiency actually exists.