Best Practices Resources
Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety | Technical Manuals and Reports | Additional Resources
Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety
Emergency Action Planning for State Regulated High-Hazard Potential Dams: Findings, Recommendations, and Strategies
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2007
Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2023
Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety: Earthquake Analyses and Design of Dams
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2005
Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety: Emergency Action Planning for Dams
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2013
Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety: Hazard Potential Classification System for Dams
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2004
Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety: Glossary of Terms for Dam Safety (Searchable Database)
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2025
Federal Guidelines for Inundation Mapping of Flood Risks Associated with Dam Incidents and Failures
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2013
Selecting and Accommodating Inflow Design Floods for Dams
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2013
Technical Manuals and Reports
Filters for Embankment Dams: Best Practices for Design and Construction
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2011
Geotextiles in Embankment Dams
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2008
Summary of Existing Guidelines for Hydrologic Safety of Dams
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2012
Technical Manual for Dam Owners: Impacts of Animals on Earthen Dams
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2005
Technical Manual for Dam Owners: Impacts of Plants on Earthen Dams
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2005
Technical Manual: Conduits through Embankment Dams - Best Practices for Design, Construction, Problem Identification and Evaluation, Inspection, Maintenance, Renovation, and Repair
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2005
Technical Manual: Overtopping Protection for Dams
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2014
Technical Manual: Plastic Pipe Used in Embankment Dams
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2007
The National Dam Safety Program: Research Needs Workshop - Seepage through Embankment Dams
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency
Date Published: 2005
Model State Dam Safety Program Manual
Author: Federal Emergency Management Agency & Assocation of State Dam Safety Officials
Date Published: 2022
Evaluation and Monitoring of Seepage and Internal Erosion
Author: Interagency Committee on Dam Safety
Date Published: 2015
Dam Sector Security Guidelines
Author: United States Department of Homeland Security
Date Published: 2015
Dams Sector Crisis Management Handbook
Author: United States Department of Homeland Security
Date Published: 2021
Dams Sector Cybersecurity Program Guidance
Author: United States Department of Homeland Security
Date Published: 2016
Dams Sector Personnel Screening Guide for Owners and Operators
Author: United States Department of Homeland Security
Date Published: 2017
Dams Sector Waterside Barriers Guide
Author: United States Department of Homeland Security
Date Published: 2017
Dams Sector-Specific Plan
Author: United States Department of Homeland Security
Date Published: 2015
An Annex to the NIPP 2013
Worldwide Attacks Against Dams
Author: United States Department of Homeland Security
Date Published: 2012
A Historical Threat Resource for Owners and Operators
Dams Sector Active and Passive Vehicle Barriers Guide
Author: United States Department of Homeland Security - Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
Date Published: 2020
A Guide to Public Alerts and Warnings for Dam and Levee Emergencies
Author: USACE Risk Management Center
Date Published: 2015
Additional Resources
ASDSO On-Demand Webinars
Author: Association of State Dam Safety Officials
ASDSO Website
Author: Association of State Dam Safety Officials
Dam Owner Emergency Intervention Toolbox
Author: Montana Department of Natural, Federal Emergency Management Agency & Gannett Fleming
Date Published: July 2016
National Resources Conservation Service: Manuals and Directives
Author: U.S. Department of Agriculture
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Dam Safety Program
Author: U.S. Department of Defense
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers: Engineer Manuals
Author: U.S. Department of Defense
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission: Dam Safety and Inspection Information
Author: U.S. Department of Energy
Mine Safety and Health Administration: Engineering and Design Manual for Coal Refuse Disposal Facilities
Author: U.S. Department of Labor
