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.
During a flood mapping project, to properly assess and communicate a complete view of the flood risk both upstream and downstream of a dam, it is critical to consider the effects of dams and their associated residual risk. Many large reservoirs are operated with outflow controls that include gates to regulate the flow through outlet structures. Dam outlet control structures can affect flow rates downstream regardless of the dam’s purpose. Even when dams perform as they are designed, there will always be a level of flood risk remaining, or “residual risk.”
Risk communication can help increase knowledge, understanding, and awareness of dams and the risks they pose. While dams can serve many purposes, such as flood risk reduction, hydropower generation, water supply, and recreation, many people in communities near dams are unprepared to deal with the impacts of a dam failure or dam-related flooding. It is important to be aware that risk can come from many modes of failure, or even from conditions in which the dam has not failed at all.
Whether for flood control, water supply, or recreation, dams play an important role in serving the community and managing a natural resource, but there are hazards and risks to consider when large volumes of water are stored. Sharing information about dams during a flood mapping study can help stakeholders obtain a more complete picture of the risks within a floodplain.
Examples of the successful use of emerging technologies for the dam emergencies that occurred during Hurricane Matthew in 2016. This Fact Sheet also provides information on actions that can be taken to reduce risks, improve emergency response, and improve communication related to dams.
Examples of the successful use of notification methods for dam emergencies that occurred during Hurricane Matthew in 2016 to help stakeholders better understand notification methods that can be used during a dam-related incident. This Fact Sheet also provides information on coordinating notification messages.
Examples of pre-event exercises and training relating to dams and dam emergencies that were conducted prior to Hurricane Matthew in 2016 to help stakeholders better understand pre-event exercises and training efforts that will help them respond to potential dam emergencies.
Examples of proactive actions taken in response to individual dam emergencies that occurred during Hurricane Matthew in 2016 so stakeholders can better understand actions they might take to reduce risks related to dam emergencies.
Examples of data collected for dams after Hurricane Matthew in 2016 to help stakeholders better understand some of the potential benefits of post-event data collection at dams.
Many people who live near a dam or who might be affected by a potential dam failure do not fully understand the risks that may be present. There are risks to the dam itself and there is resulting risk exposure to the nearby population and infrastructure due to proximity to the dam, including residual risk that remains even after risk reduction measures are enacted. This fact sheet describes these risks and the potential contributing factors to those risks.
Risk reduction measures can be implemented by any entity that may be affected by or is at risk from a dam failure, including state, local, and tribal governments; communities; dam owners and operators; and individual property and business owners. The most effective risk reduction occurs when all parties—from the state government to community agencies to dam owners to at-risk individuals—are aware of each other’s actions and coordinate them effectively. Working together maximizes risk reduction in every phase of the risk reduction.