USSD annually honors individuals and organizations through three awards: Lifetime Achievement Award, Award of Excellence in the Constructed Project, and Outstanding Paper Award. A President’s Award is given at the discretion of the President.

USSD scholarships are awarded annually to graduate students enrolled in dam-related programs.

Keeps the membership informed on items of key professional interest and technical activities through the publication of the USSD Newsletter.

Undertakes special studies, prepares reports and disseminates selected information regarding the use of concrete for dams or corollary topics.

Plans the technical program for the annual conference.

Addresses the role of construction management and construction activities in building and maintaining dams and dam related infrastructure.

Coordinates and exchanges information with other persons or groups in the United States and internationally that are interested in the decommissioning of dams.

Promotes all aspects of dam safety and security through study, compilation and interchange of information on legislation, policy, technical developments and actual performance and security requirements of dams and reservoirs; maintains information by states as to the laws relating to safety and security of dams and compiles information on dam safety and security incidents or failures of dams. Develop programs and tools which gather and disseminate dam safety and security information, coordinate and provide dam safety and security training for USSD members, and establish cooperative arrangements and partnerships with other organizations for the purpose of enhancing the dam safety and security of dams within the United States.

Identifies seismic problems relating to dams, and when there is a need to develop new knowledge, collects and disseminates that information.

Identify training topics and oversee organization of workshops, seminars, and webinars outside of annual conference.

Undertakes special studies, prepares reports and collects and disseminates data regarding the use of synthetic and natural materials in the construction of embankment dams.

Provides a clearinghouse and reference center for environmental concerns and effects resulting from existing and proposed dams.

Studies the overall engineering and geological aspects of foundations for large dams and their appurtenant structures, as well as the reservoir floor and rim. The impact these aspects have on safe performance of the project are also examined.

Compiles, analyzes, develops and disseminates information relating to the hydraulics of dams and appurtenant structures. The scope of Committee activities includes water resources projects in the planning, design, construction and operations phases.

Coordinates USSD participation in ICOLD Congresses, including recommendations for Congress question topics and selection of USSD papers for publication in Congress Transactions.

Addresses levee issues, including levee systems, safety and safety programs, risk assessment and management, dam vs. levee concerns, levee security, peer and independent reviews, and other non-technical issues related to levees that are inter-disciplinary.

Compiles, analyzes and publishes information on the monitoring of dams for assuring continuing safe operations.

Develops, maintains and communicates programs and tools which gather and disseminate public safety and security best practices for and around dams.

Promotes design, construction and operation practices to ensure safe tailings dams.

The main role of the USSD Committee on Young Professionals is to increase membership and participation of young professionals, those 35 years of age and under, in USSD.