Training

Dam Safety Risk Analysis Best Practices

The Dam Safety Risk Analysis Best Practices Training Manual is the foundation for Reclamation's Risk Analysis process. The documents listed below are handouts used during the five-day training course.

This course was jointly developed by Reclamation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

The documents below are intended as a supplement to the instructor-led training course and should not be taken out of context.

Go to Manual and Presentation Download site

The course is currently only open to federal employees.

Reclamation Seminar on Safety Evaluation of Existing Dams (SEED) for Domestic Audiences

This seminar provides attendees with comprehensive instruction in dam safety examination and evaluation. Although references will be made to organizational procedures and units of Reclamation, the principles, concepts, and procedures are readily adaptable to any organization conducting a regulatory or in-house dam safety program for existing dams.

The basic seminar emphasizes the importance of dam safety and provides information and instruction in dam safety surveillance, including periodic review of pertinent records, visual examination, and monitoring of instrumentation. Hydrologic considerations, concrete repair, remedial measures for dams, and emergency action planning are also discussed. The seminar is suitable for engineers, technicians, maintenance personnel, and administrators responsible for dams.

Registration Information

For course information, please email SEEDSeminar@usbr.gov

Training Aids for Dam Safety (TADS): A Self-Instructional Study Course in Dam Safety Practices

TADS is a self-contained, self-paced training course consisting of 21 modules (workbooks and videos) for engineers, technicians, dam owners and operators, water resource managers, dam safety program managers, public officials, and the public. The modules were developed by technical experts from participating federal and state agencies and are organized into 3 components: Dam Safety Inspection; Dam Safety Awareness, Organization, and Implementation; and Data Review, Investigation, Analysis and Remedial Actions for Dam Safety.

The self-instructional study course in Dam Safety Practices, FEMA 609DVD, is available at no cost from the FEMA Publications Warehouse.

Connect to FEMA TADS site

Department of the Interior Dam Safety Training

Training April 8 to 10

Site Visit April 10

This training will enable attendees to implement best practices that allow their agencies to more effectively and efficiently reduce the risks posed by DOI dams. This year’s training will have as its theme: “Unique spillway Configurations”.

Specific topics include:

  • Ongoing research on labyrinth and stepped spillways and hydraulic jacking of spillway slabs
  • Different flood mechanisms and the impact to dam safety
  • How inundation mapping impacts emergency management

The training consists of two parts: The DOI Classroom Training April 8 to April 10, and the optional Site Visit to Crow Dam on April 10. The site visit is self-enroll but the training dates require supervisor approval. Agenda is still being finalized and will be posted here once finalized. Feel free to view last year's agenda.

DOI Only Registration: 2025 DOI Dam Safety Training

Non-DOI Registration: Send registration form to Dam Safety Office

Agenda is still pending. Please click on this link to view last year's agenda.


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Last Updated: 02/14/2025