National Dam Safety Program Publications
The National Dam Safety Program provides a variety of publications, including:
- Research Needs Workshop Reports
- Technical Manuals, Guides and Reports
- Technical Advisories
- Safety Series Fact Sheets
- Response and Recovery (R&R) Dam Response Operations Matrices
- Dam Safety & Risk MAP/Flood Mapping Studies Fact Sheet Series
- DSS-WISE Fact Sheets
- FEMA P-1015, Technical Manual: Overtopping Protection for Dams (ZIP, 410MB)
Search for Dam Safety Publications
Search for documents below, or view our pages on Federal Guidelines, National Dam Safety Program Information, Resources for the General Public, or Resources for States.
You can order publications from the FEMA Distribution Center.
The National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) Training Program is designed to help state, local and tribal governments obtain the knowledge, tools, and support that they need to plan and implement effective dam safety strategies. Resources available through the program include instructor-led courses, web-based courses, and videos.
The Rehabilitation of HHPD Grant Program PowerPoint provides a general overview of the program and its eligibility requirements.
The record-breaking flooding caused by the Edenville and Sandford dam failures caused widespread damage and destruction to buildings, homes, roads, utility infrastructure, and natural resources. This Dam Incident Response Review examines the causes for these dam failures and identifies the actions taken by the dam owners and emergency managers as the situation developed.
The HHPD Grant Program Guidance Section 3.1 states that assistance provided under the HHPD grant is subject to a non-Federal cost-sharing requirement of not less than 35 percent. Federal funding is available for up to 65 percent of the eligible activity costs.
Identifying Dam Activities – Taking note of the types of public activities occurring around a dam will help identify risky activities and hazardous areas the public may encounter. Identifying Potential Hazards – Identifying any potential risks or hazards occurring at the dam will help to determine what safety signage is necessary to reduce any risks to the public. Identifying Frequency/Severity of Risks – Once you have identified any risks, it is important to calculate the risk score by identifying the risk’s frequency and severity. Risk Treatment and Mitigation – Lastly, measures must be taken to reduce risk to the public through risk treatment and mitigation practices. One of these strategies is to develop and instill safety signage.
Levels from top to bottom: Information Zone, Warning Zone, Danger Zone, Hazard, and Danger Zone
Sign reading: Danger Dam Ahead. Deadly Waters. Dam Information with a graphic of a stick figure falling out of a boat going over a dam.
Challenges of Messaging: Response Group, Perceived Risk, Dilution of Signs. Message Content: Signal Words, Active Verbs, Identifying Risk. Simplicity of Signage: Use few words, Eliminate redundancy, Avoid distraction. Language: Translate signage, Use pictograms, Use QR codes.
Layered circle graphic. Outer layer: Safety Signage Maintenance Routine, Middle Layer: Safety Signage Maintenance Plan, and Inner Layer: Cycle of Assessment, Inventory, Inspection and Replacement
