Between 2021 and 2023, a working group was jointly established by the United States Society on Dams (USSD) and the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) to explore opportunities for a more deliberate partnership, to the benefit of the organizations’ members and the dam and levee community at large.
USSD and ASDSO are well-established professional organizations, with a long history of supporting the dam and levee community in the United States. In general, ASDSO’s primary focus is the safety of existing dams, while USSD focuses on advancing the state of practice in dam/levee engineering and promoting the benefits of dams and levees. Both organizations have broad strategies encompassing many facets of the dam and levee profession that can overlap.
According to the working group charter, the objectives were to evaluate the pros/cons and need for cooperation and to identify opportunities for streamlining and aligning the organizations to better serve the industry. The group performed retrospective research into the history and evolution of both organizations and the industry, including past collaboration, a review of organizational structures and ongoing initiatives, and goals presented in the current strategic plans. This information was evaluated considering the trends driving the dam and levee safety industry to identify gaps that might not be fully addressed by either organization. The intent was to gather information and present findings and opportunities for the Boards of Directors (Boards) of both organizations to consider.
Specific recommendations and decisions to pursue any opportunity presented in this report are beyond the scope of this working group. Decisions to pursue these opportunities will be made by each board and executive director as appropriate. The full report was presented to each board in early 2024. President Sharon Tapia (ASDSO) and President Dina Hunt (USSD) have reviewed the recommendations and have committed to considering the working group’s suggestions. The executive directors of both organizations participated in the process and have committed to considering the opportunities presented in this report as they and the respective boards develop plans and projects to advance the missions of both organizations.
The overarching finding of the working group is that each organization has a distinct culture and identity, and both bring unique strengths that complement each other. For example, ASDSO has a proven record of successful legislative advocacy and in-depth understanding of state dam safety perspectives, while USSD brings strong technical expertise and global connections through the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD). Each organization should embrace its organizational culture and build on its strengths, amplifying each other’s voices so that, together, the organizations continue to advance dam safety and engineering.
The working group identified over 50 unique opportunities for ASDSO-USSD collaboration, organized across 14 categories, as presented in the report. The working group specifically highlighted 1) opportunities that have the potential to make a significant impact on the industry; and 2) opportunities that may be incorporated into existing activities.
The following coordinated initiatives have the potential to make a significant long-lasting impact on the dam and levee safety industry in the U.S.:
1. Communicate with a unified voice to FEMA on topics related to the National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) and industry needs, starting with jointly requesting regular briefings from FEMA, including updates on activities of the National Dam Safety Review Board (NDSRB) and NDSP. Collaborate in assisting FEMA with the implementation of the Fiscal Year 2024-2029 Strategic Plan and the administration of the NDSP. This could include coordinating participation in research summits, identifying research needs and collaborating with research organizations, and reviewing and developing technical guidance documents.
2. Re-engage the U.S. Levee Safety Coalition to contribute to the development of a National Levee Safety Program (NLSP). The main components of the NLSP are: 1) National Levee Safety Guidelines; 2) Integrated Levee Management; 3) National Levee Database; and 4) Implementation Support. There is an opportunity to work together with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and FEMA to help shape the Program as it is developed.
3. Both organizations should routinely review existing industry training programs and perform an industry training needs assessment to identify gaps and overlaps. Based on the results, both organizations should work to align training to address those gaps.
The following items were identified as opportunities for incorporation into existing and ongoing activities:
1. Encourage staff to meet regularly to discuss opportunities in relation to their plan of work and priorities.
2. Empower and encourage committees to collaborate across organizations. Identify specific collaboration opportunities.
3. Consider including the similar “industry update”-type presentations at both conferences.
4. Co-promote dam failures and incidents database on both websites.
5. Coordinate training schedules and plans via regular meetings between training committees and/or staff. Cross promote trainings.
6. USSD to seek input from ASDSO on Position Papers relevant to both organizations and the industry. Both organizations could promote the
publication of Position Papers.
A general Memorandum of Understanding between USSD and ASDSO articulating each organization’s culture and identity, and outlining principles of engagement, could serve as a framework for future initiative- or project-specific partnership agreements.
This report of findings concludes the work of the USSD-ASDSO Partnership Working Group according to the Charter.
Click here to read the full report.
