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.
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.
Department of the Interior Dam Safety Training
Training May 14 and 16
Optional Site Visit May 16
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: “The Failures of Edenville and Sanford Dams”.
Specific topics include:
- The events that led up to the failure of Edenville and Sandford Dams
- How emergency management was coordinated for the event
- How to communicate risk to the general population
- Understanding hydrologic potential failure modes
- Static liquefaction and the design of fuseplug spillways
The training consists of two parts: The DOI Classroom Training on May 14 through 15 and the optional Site Visit to Edenville and Sanford Dams on the morning of May 16. The site visit is self-enroll but the training dates require supervisor approval.
DOI Only Registration: 2024 DOI Dam Safety Training
Non-DOI Registration: Send registration form to JHorn@usbr.gov
Agenda to follow
