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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.

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CTA-5 Emergency Action Plan and Emergency Operations Plan Refinement and Approval

During this session, participants will discuss their Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) to inform the development and/or refinement of dam incident annexes to local Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs). This will also support the review and approval process, as well as ensure the plans are ready to be tested at a tabletop exercise. Finally, the CTA delivery team will review the completed annex (the Dam Incident Planning Guide/Template will be provided before the session).

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CTA-6 Plan Implementation and Program Evaluation

This group of sessions will take place after the main planning effort has been completed. It will provide opportunities for plan validation, exercise planning, and conducting an after-action review (AAR) and briefings to senior leaders and other stakeholders. FEMA works collaboratively with communities to set their own goals and objectives. Below are common session outlines and results.

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Dam and Levee Safety and Community Resilience | Lewis Link

2020 NDSP Technical Seminar Presentation
Dam and Levee Safety and Community Resilience | Lewis Link

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Dam Awareness

There is a general lack of knowledge, understanding, and awareness of dams and their risks, leaving those most affected by dams unprepared to deal with the impacts of their failures. This fact sheet provides a general overview of dams for consideration and use by the intended audience, based on their situation.

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Dam Considerations in Flood Mapping Studies

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.

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Dam Ownership Risks and Burdens | Emma Moradi - Oklahoma Water Resources Board

2019 NDSP Technical Seminar Presentation

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Dam Owner’s Guide to Animal Impacts on Earthen Dams Brochure (FEMA L-264)

This brochure is designed to help the dam owner manage and reduce nuisance wildlife and wildlife damages at earthen dams. The brochure provides information on the types of nuisance wildlife damages, wildlife observation during routine inspections, wildlife identification, and basic damage repair.

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Dam Owner’s Guide to Animal Impacts on Earthen Dams Brochure (FEMA L-264) (Text Version)

This brochure is designed to help the dam owner manage and reduce nuisance wildlife and wildlife damages at earthen dams. The brochure provides information on the types of nuisance wildlife damages, wildlife observation during routine inspections, wildlife identification, and basic damage repair.

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Dam Owner’s Guide to Plant Impact on Earthen Dams Brochure (FEMA L-263)

The dam owner is the first line of defense in the appropriate maintenance and safe operation of dams. This brochure describes the dangers presented by problem vegetation on earthen embankment dams and discusses how to identify problem vegetation. A quick quiz is included for dam owners to determine whether their dam may be at risk for problems related to inappropriate vegetation.

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Dam Owner’s Guide to Plant Impact on Earthen Dams Brochure (FEMA L-263) (Text Version)

The dam owner is the first line of defense in the appropriate maintenance and safe operation of dams. This brochure describes the dangers presented by problem vegetation on earthen embankment dams and discusses how to identify problem vegetation. A quick quiz is included for dam owners to determine whether their dam may be at risk for problems related to inappropriate vegetation.