From Risk to Readiness
From Risk to Readiness
Each year, the NDSP Technical Seminar unites professional dam safety practitioners to explore emerging challenges, research, technologies, and regulations vital for the effective operation of our national dam infrastructure. This year's theme is From Risk to Readiness: Advancing Dam Safety, Emergency Preparedness, and Community Resilience.
The 33rd FEMA National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar (NDSPTS) is scheduled for Feb. 18-19, 2026, at the National Disaster & Emergency Management University (NDEMU) in Emmitsburg, Maryland.
The program is now accepting abstracts for presentations, workshops, and training sessions. This is your opportunity to reach over 300 dam safety professionals.
We invite abstract submissions across a range of topics, with a focus on new innovations and advancements that are shaping the future of dam safety. The deadline is January 9, 2026.
This year, we are particularly interested in submissions that align with the following catagories:
- From Risk to Readiness – Translating dam risk assessments into practical emergency preparedness actions, risk-informed decision-making, and lessons from recent flooding and extreme events.
- Preparedness in Practice – Building capacity for dam safety response through exercises, training, and real-world implementation of emergency planning.
- Ready Dams, Ready Communities – Emphasizing the link between dam safety preparedness and broader resilience, financial strategies for dam rehabilitation, and innovative approaches to community engagement.
Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Risk-informed decision-making and communication
- Emergency Action Plan development and exercises
- Lessons learned from dam failures and incidents
- Cost-effective rehabilitation and modification of aging dams
- Public safety and low head dam initiatives
- Integrating dam safety with community emergency management
- Innovative technologies for monitoring and preparedness
- Funding and financial strategies for dam safety programs
- Training and capacity building for dam owners and responders
- Strengthening federal, state, and local partnerships
The 2025 Seminar Schedule/Format
(Agenda Coming Soon)
What is covered in Day 1 and Day 2:
(Agenda Coming Soon)
NDSPTS Course
The EK8535: National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar will be held at the NETC campus building E auditorium, Feb. 18-19, 2026.
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.
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EK8535: National Dam Safety Program Technical Seminar
How to Apply
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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.
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Apply Online
Candidates register through the NETC Online Admissions Application using their SID or PIV information.
- The course code is EK8535
- The course dates are Feb. 18-19, 2026
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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
For detailed explanation of the campus dining policies, please refer to the NETC Welcome Package.
Previous NDSP Technical Seminars
| Year | Host | Seminar Theme |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | NDSPTS | Innovations in Dam Safety: Collaborative State and Federal Efforts #32 |
| 2024 | NDSPTS | Dam Safety 101: Design, Analysis, Construction, and Risk Management #31 |
| 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.
For all lodging, dining, and travel questions, please contact NETC admissions.
