Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO)

This course serves as an introduction and guidance on construction oversight and inspections associated with the construction or modification of a dam and appurtenant structures.

Learning objectives attendees will receive from this course:

• Identify the roles, responsibilities, and authority of project team members and discuss how to communicate and stay organized.
• Understand the importance of dam construction documentation and record-keeping.
• Understand design limitations and how to deal with unexpected conditions during construction.
• Discuss construction observation and inspection considerations for dam construction.
• Review good and bad construction examples, things to watch for, and how to deal with things that go wrong.

The erodibility of rock foundations, spillways, and other hydraulic conveyance structures remains a critical factor in the integrity and safe operation of dams worldwide. This webinar presents recent advancements in rock scour science and engineering, with a focus on predictive methodologies that incorporate both geologic and hydraulic controls. Emphasis is placed on the evaluation of time-dependent scour processes and the integration of high-resolution monitoring data to enhance site-specific assessments.

Participants will be introduced to real-world case studies where rock scour has impacted dam safety, followed by a technical overview of scour mechanisms, including the influence of lithologic variability, structural discontinuities, and flow dynamics. The webinar will demonstrate practical tools and methods for quantifying scour potential, including the application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling to simulate hydraulic conditions and inform erosion predictions.

Attendees will gain insight into how these tools can be applied to support risk-informed decision-making, particularly in the classification and management of potential failure modes (PFMs) related to scour. The webinar is designed to equip dam owners, engineers, and risk analysts with the knowledge and capabilities to implement robust scour assessments and improve dam safety outcomes.

Learning objectives attendees will receive from this webinar:

• Recognize rock scour as a significant dam safety concern requiring quantitative evaluation.
• Apply modern techniques to estimate the time-rate of scour in rock foundations and appurtenant structures.
• Utilize high-resolution remote sensing and monitoring data to enhance the accuracy of scour assessments.
• Understand the fundamental geologic and hydraulic drivers that govern rock scour processes.
• Conduct rock scour analyses using demonstrated methodologies and case-based examples.

A historical timeline will be presented that describes significant stability-related failure case histories and how various technologies have been developed for characterizing the shear strength of soils (primarily clays and clay shales), as well as methods for performing stability analyses of embankment dams. The history of soil characterization technology, including shear strength, began in the 1800s but accelerated in the early to mid-1900s through the late 1980s. Each critical milestone in the evolution of soil characterization and stability analysis technology will be identified along with key published references for the audience to review after the webinar. Case histories to be reviewed (briefly) include Fort Peck Dam, MT (abutment clay shale contribution to construction static liquefaction) and the Mt. Polly Tailing Dam, Canada (stability failure resulting from shear strength failure of foundation clays under the impoundment).

Learning objectives attendees will receive from this webinar:

• Learn about the key failure case histories involving stability failures of clayey embankment dams and dam foundations.
• Describe key technical advances in characterizing the properties of clays and clay shales.
• Describe and select appropriate shear strength models for clay and clay shale materials.
• Describe the alternative methods for assessing the stability of embankment slopes and select an appropriate method for an embankment dam stability evaluation.
• Review description and implementation of a Heuristic (Process Flow Diagram) for assessing the stability of an embankment (dam or levee).

ASDSO regional conferences visit your region only once every four years. Don't miss your chance to learn from industry leaders and network face-to-face with peers from across the Northeast Region. Make your plans now to join us for the 2026 Northeast Regional Conference, May 18-21, 2026, at the Buffalo Convention Center in Buffalo, NY. 

The objective of this course is to provide a comprehensive presentation of the significant principles and concepts of soil mechanics. The material will be presented with emphasis on the basic soil mechanics principles prerequisite to further study for the design or rehabilitation of earth embankment dams. This is a basic-level course intended as an introduction for those with minimal to moderate knowledge or experience in the application of soil mechanics principles to earth dam design, operation and rehabilitation.  

This course is a good prerequisite to the more advanced ASDSO seminars on Stability Analysis of Embankment Dams and Seepage Through Earth Dams.

Key takeaways attendees will receive from this course: 

• The significant basic concepts and principles of soil mechanics are a prerequisite to further courses related to the use of soil mechanics principles for earth embankment design and rehabilitation.
• The theory of consolidation related to embankment dam engineering.
• The concepts of soil shear strength related to embankment dam engineering.
• The concepts of lateral earth pressure needed for hydraulic structure applications.
• A basic understanding of phreatic surface, embankment permeability, and drainage systems.
• Appropriate field investigation techniques needed to evaluate foundation conditions for design, and rehabilitation of embankment dams.
• Appropriate field and insitu testing procedures for existing or new embankment dams.

A significant knowledge gap is emerging between the rapidly evolving capabilities of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) and the general engineering workforce, both in terms of terminology and technical expertise. This webinar is designed to bridge that gap, offering an introductory overview that connects these new powerful tools with the technical understanding of the engineers who will review and oversee such efforts in the coming years. The webinar will address both ethical and technical challenges, along with clarifying common misconceptions regarding the capabilities of these advanced tools within the engineering community. The content will aim to be broadly applicable across the engineering community and will provide some detailed examples, including the automation of HEC-RAS 2D workflows. By the end of this webinar, participants will have a foundational understanding of how coding, ML, and AI can be ethically and responsibly applied in the engineering field to support informed implementation and review moving forward.

Learning objectives attendees will receive from this webinar:

• Gain a high-level technical understanding of AI, ML, and data science.
• Comprehend the general benefits and risks associated with implementing AI and automation.
• Establish connections between common engineering knowledge and a technical-level understanding of AI, facilitating further education after this course.
• Explore multiple ways in which ML, AI, and coding can be effectively integrated into engineering workflows.
• Develop a basic understanding of implementing these tools, illustrated by an example of automation using HEC-RAS 2D.

This is an interactive seminar focused on the practical use and advantages of two-dimensional flow capabilities in HEC-RAS, with emphasis on applications for the dam safety industry. The course will maintain a balance between lecture-style presentations on model theory and hands-on workshop sessions for practical examples. Topics will include applications and benefits of HEC-RAS 2D modeling; RAS Mapper and terrain preparation; executing 2D models including dam, levee, and breach simulations; viewing and analyzing results with RAS Mapper; troubleshooting and model review. The course will also cover new features released with recent updates to HEC-RAS , such as spatial precipitation and infiltration; 2D bridge hydraulics; improvements to RAS Mapper; and more. The course will utilize the most recent version of the HEC-RAS software available at that time.

Learning objectives attendees will receive from this course:

• Understand when and where to use HEC-RAS 2D.
• Develop necessary input/terrain data for HEC-RAS 2D.
• Create and run a HEC-RAS 2D model.
• Troubleshoot and review a HEC-RAS 2D model.
• Utilize HEC-RAS 2D for various dam safety applications.
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It is recommended that attendees have recent HEC-RAS 1D unsteady experience and familiarity operating within the HEC-RAS user interface. ASDSO’s HEC-RAS Course is a recommended prerequisite. 

This webinar presents the application of rope access techniques for inspection of dams and hydraulic appurtenances, including confined conduits, spillway structures, radial gates, and canal linings. Topics include SPRAT-certified access methods, integration of nondestructive testing at height, confined space entry protocols, digital defect documentation, and coordination with dam safety programs. Case studies will highlight structural assessments performed in constrained environments where conventional access methods are impractical, with a focus on data quality, regulatory compliance, and support of future operations and maintenance.

Learning objectives attendees will receive from this webinar:

• Understand the fundamentals of rope access systems, including SPRAT certification, safety protocols, and equipment, and how they apply to dam safety inspections.
• Learn how to plan and execute rope access inspections in confined and high-elevation environments such as penstocks, radial gates, spillway monoliths, and canals.
• Gain insight into how rope access inspections integrate with nondestructive testing (NDT), digital documentation tools, and confined space entry protocols.
• Evaluate real-world case studies where rope access enabled cost-effective, high-quality data collection in locations not accessible by traditional inspection methods.
• Identify how rope access inspections support regulatory compliance, improve O&M decision-making, and enhance safety outcomes for dam owners and operators.

This is an interactive course designed to help participants learn about key tools that will help improve emergency preparedness and enhance communication during dam and levee failures and incidents. Participants will gain a better understanding of the emergency action planning process, including evacuation planning and emergency response methods.

Learning objectives attendees will receive from this course:

• Learn how to improve the integrated operations between dam owners, emergency planners, first responders, and dam engineers.
• Understand the basic potential failure modes for dams and levees.
• Understand the basics of integrated operations under the Incident Command System.  
• Understand the basic elements of an emergency action plan for dams and levees.
• Understand how to effectively prepare, test, and improve emergency action plans.
• Learn how to improve communications during dam and levee incidents.
• Understand how to improve evacuation planning.
• Learn about new technologies that can help improve your emergency response.

This webinar provides a practical guide to understanding and participating in dam safety-focused regulatory reviews with confidence. Participants will gain insight into the distinct roles involved in the process, providing clarity in responsibilities and expectations. The webinar will provide strategies to locate and interpret relevant regulations, including state-specific guidance. Attendees will also learn the key elements of complete submittals and strategies for responding to regulatory comment letters. Through expert insights and real-world examples, this webinar equips professionals with the tools needed to navigate regulatory challenges effectively, minimize delays, and achieve compliance.

Learning objectives attendees will receive from this webinar:

• Understand roles and responsibilities in the regulatory review process.
• Discover where to find and understand state regulations and state-specific guidance.
• Identify common types of engineering submittals and the key elements required for a complete submittal.
• Learn how to be productive in responding to a comment letter.
• Be prepared to ask yourself, “Is it defensible?”

The current guidance on aggregate soil filter gradations is based on research conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the 1980s. Subsequently, various federal agencies (Natural Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and FEMA) published step-by-step guidance for aggregate filter gradation design based on that research. The resulting guidelines represent a great advance in filter gradation design, but not all practitioners understand the reasons for the various steps in the process and the latitude available in translating the results of the process into project specifications. This situation can result in the specification of filter gradations that are hard to find or are excessively expensive.

This webinar will 1) briefly review the history of aggregate soil filter gradation criteria, 2) explain the purposes of the various steps in the current guidelines, 3) illustrate with examples the latitude available to designers in developing project specifications from the results of the step-by-step guideline calculations, and 4) explain how some of the steps in the calculations may need to be modified for the coarser zones in multi-stage filter drain systems.

Learning objectives attendees will receive from this webinar:

• An understanding of the history of aggregate soil filter gradation criteria.
• An understanding of the desired characteristics of an aggregate soil filter.
• An understanding of the purposes of the various control points determined in the current step-by-step procedures for establishing aggregate filter gradation requirements.
• An understanding of the latitude available to a designer in developing an aggregate filter gradation specification using the control points.
• An understanding of adjustments to the calculation procedures that may be needed for multi-stage filter/drain systems.

Blasting near dams demands more than technical expertise—it requires precision, foresight, and an uncompromising commitment to structural safety. This webinar is designed for dam operators, engineers, and infrastructure contractors who face the challenges of rock excavation in high-risk environments. This webinar will dive into the proven techniques and critical safeguards that enable successful blasting near sensitive water infrastructure.

Learning objectives attendees will receive from this webinar:

• Vibration control strategies to protect dam integrity.
• Blast design fundamentals tailored to critical structures.
• Engineering and administrative safeguards for high-consequence projects.
• How blasting projects should be staffed for safe and effective, repeatable blasting.
• How to evaluate and select a blasting contractor for dam-related work.

This webinar is intended for individuals who are responsible for performing inspections on dams. The goal is to provide a connection between what can be observed in a field inspection and how dams fail, with particular focus on the risk analysis and how inspections inform the process.  

Learning objectives attendees will receive from this webinar:

• Risk analysis and how it is used as part of dam safety risk management.
• Definition of potential failure modes.
• Examples of specific dam failure case histories.
• How inspections have or could have reduced the likelihood of failure.
• Examples of potential failure modes and how observations during inspections help inform us of the risk of failure.