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National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar

Engaging dam safety professionals with the emergent challenges, research, technologies & regulations facing our national dam infrastructure

Managing and Regulating Dams into The Future

The 31st FEMA National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar (NDSPTS) is scheduled for Feb. 13-14, 2024, at the Emergency Management Institute (EMI) in Emmitsburg, Maryland. This year’s theme “Dam Safety 101: Design, Analysis, Construction, and Risk Management” will bring in perspectives from dam and levee safety experts and include topics such as dam construction, inspection of dams, and cyber security.

Each year, the NDSP Technical Seminar brings together professional dam safety practitioners to our campus to discuss emerging challenges, research, technologies & regulations to help ensure safe & successful operations of our national dam infrastructure.

If you are a current dam safety professional, follow the guide below to learn how you may attend this exciting opportunity to collaborate with colleagues in your field.

The 2024 Seminar Agenda

This year's seminar thematically focuses on the future challenges related to the management and regulation of dams.

Over the course of this 2 day agenda we will survey presentations each day from two categories (Design, Analysis, Construction and Risk Management), with topics ranging from dam construction, inspection of dams, and cyber security.

What is covered in Day 1 and Day 2:

The seminar promises to be an enlightening journey into the latest industry trends and insights, offering a unique opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and perspectives that will inspire and elevate dam safety practices across the nation and include two keynote speakers from the industry. Sure to provide participants with invaluable insights and expertise.

The seminar will also include compelling sessions for participants and incorporate engaging presentations such as:

  • Developing Design Data: Field Sampling to Lab Testing
  • Data Management and Visualization During Dam Construction and Rehabilitation ‐ Lessons learned From USACE Projects
  • Granular Filter Material Quality Testing: Best Practices and Lessons Learned
  • Use of Drones and Bathymetry to Assist with Decision Making by a State Dam Safety Program
  • USACE Robotics and AI/ML for Critical Infrastructure Inspection

NDSPTS Course

The E8535: National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar will be held at the NETC campus building E auditorium, Feb. 13-14, 2024.

This seminar is limited to professional staff of dam safety programs at the Federal, state, territorial, and tribal level; professional staff of dam safety programs at the local level of government who are nominated to represent their state by their state Dam Safety Officer; and those from the private sector, such as engineering firms. Student stipends will not be provided.

  • E8535: National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar

    • Audience

      Professional staff of dam safety programs

    • Course Methodology

      Seminar/Workshop

    • Course Length

      16 hours (2 days)

How to Apply

  1. Verify Qualification

    This seminar is limited to professional staff of dam safety programs, including:

    • Federal, state, territorial, and tribal staff
    • Professional staff of dam safety programs at the local level of government who are nominated to represent their state by their state Dam Safety Officer, and those from the private sector, such as engineering firms.
  2. Apply Online

    Candidates register through the NETC Online Admissions Application using their SID or PIV information.

    • Deadline for applications is Jan. 13, 2024
    • The course code is E8535
    • The course dates are Feb. 13-14, 2024
    • For help with registration for the event, please follow this supplemental application process guide.
  3. Complete the Application

    Once the selection review process has completed, you will be notified of the selection status via the email address provided during application.

Accommodations and Travel

Accommodations and Travel are handled through the NETC Application process. Please refer to the NETC Welcome Package for more travel information. Student stipends will not be provided.

Campus Dining

Meal tickets must be purchased at https://netcmealtickets.com/ no more than 2 weeks prior to the course start date and no later than 2 days prior to your arrival date to purchase the meal ticket.

The meal ticket will cover your evening meal on the arrival date through breakfast on your departure date based on your acceptance email. Students are no longer be able to purchase meal tickets at registration, or upon arrival to the NETC Campus.

For detailed explanation of the campus dining policies, please refer to the NETC Welcome Package.

Previous NDSP Technical Seminars

Year Host Seminar Theme
2023 NDSPTS Managing and Regulating Dams into The Future #30
2022 NDSPTS Managing Aging Dam and Levee Infrastructure NDSPTS #29
2021 NDSPTS Risk Informed Decision Making and Benefit Cost Analysis for Dam and Levee Projects #28
2020 NDSPTS Dam and Levee Resiliency in the Era of Intensifying Natural Hazards and Climate Conditions #27
2019 NDSPTS Information Sharing and Risk Communication on the Hazards Associated with Dams and Levees #26
2018 NDSPTS Sustaining Public Trust through Effective Emergency Management #25
2017 NDSPTS Interim Risk Reduction Measures and Rehabilitation #24
2016 NDSPTS Internal Evaluation Techniques for Earthen Dams #23
2015 NDSPTS Dam Breach Modeling and Consequence Assessment #22
2014 NDSPTS Current and Available Guidelines, Tools, and Resources for Dam Design, Evaluation, Remediation, Operation, and Maintenance #21
2013 NDSPTS Overtopping Protection for Dams #20
2012 NDSPTS Filters, Drains, and Geotextiles in Dams and Levees #19
2011 NDSPTS Instrumentation and Remote Operations #18
2010 NDSPTS Risk and Risk Management in Dam Safety #17
2009 NDSPTS Handling Dam Safety Emergencies #16
2008 NDSPTS Lessons Learned from Dam Failures and Incidents #15
2007 NDSPTS Pitfalls of Embankment Dams #14
2006 NDSPTS Implementing Remedial Measures #13
2005 NDSPTS Potential Failure Mode Analysis and Monitoring #12
2004 NDSPTS Addressing Hydrologic Inadequacy #11
2003 NDSPTS Dam Site Security, Threat, Consequences, Vulnerability #10
2002 NDSPTS Responding to Dam Safety Emergencies #9
2001 NDSPTS Inspections, Evaluation and Follow-up #8
2000 NDSPTS Spillway Gates - Critical Aspect of Dam Safety #7
1999 ICODS Piping Associated with Conduits through Embankment Dams #6
1998 ICODS Application of Mitigation Strategies for Dam Safety #5
1997 ICODS Development of Ground Motion Parameters for Dams Safety Evaluation #4
1996 ICODS Dam Breach Analysis and Maximum Precipitation #3
1995 ICODS Seepage, Piping, and Remedial Measures #2
1993 ICODS Earthquake Engineering #1

Contact Information

For further information, or questions regarding the NDSP Technical Seminar, please contact the Mitigation team.

Contact Mitigation Team

For all lodging, dining, and travel questions, please contact NETC admissions.

Contact NETC Admissions

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