United States Society on Dams (USSD)

Join USSD this April for a technical webinar exploring innovative solutions to complex dam foundation challenges. 📢 Red Bluff Dam Foundation Grouting: 2026 Annual Conference Webinar 🗓 April 16, 2026 | ⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (MDT) 💻 Virtual Event Red Bluff Dam, a high-hazard embankment dam on the Pecos River in West Texas, has long presented significant seepage challenges due to its highly variable and complex geologic foundation. This webinar will examine the evolution of the dam’s foundation grouting program—from early remediation efforts to today’s comprehensive $75M+ initiative featuring an 8,000-ft-long, three-line grout curtain. Participants will gain insights into: ✅ Risk-informed decision-making in complex geologic settings ✅ Grouting strategies for variable soils and rock conditions ✅ Innovative treatment methods for challenging foundation zones ✅ Lessons learned from past and ongoing construction efforts ✅ Approaches for managing large-scale subsurface data This session offers practical knowledge for professionals involved in dam safety, seepage mitigation, and large-scale infrastructure projects—supporting continued advancement across the industry. 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eYB725TP #USSD #DamSafety #WaterResources #CivilEngineering #Infrastructure

🌊 Championing Safe & Sustainable Infrastructure Together 🌟 At the United States Society on Dams, our mission is clear: to empower professionals to advance the sustainable benefits of dams and levees for society. We’re proud to support a community of dedicated experts who drive forward the science and practice of planning, designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining these critical water infrastructure systems. Our vision is ambitious yet essential: a world where all dams and levees are safe and valued by the communities they serve. Every day, we work toward that vision by fostering collaboration, elevating technical excellence, and championing sustainable solutions that enhance public safety and resource resilience. As a world‑class organization of professionals, USSD advances the role of dam and levee systems and builds a vibrant community of practice. Together with our partners, we strive to ensure these structures continue to deliver long‑term benefits—from water security to economic development—while meeting today’s environmental and societal expectations. 👉 Join us in shaping a future where infrastructure meets the needs of people and the planet: https://lnkd.in/eTFG2AWF #USSD #Dams #Infrastructure #WaterResources #SustainableEngineering

How can dam and reservoir operations adapt to a future shaped by climate extremes? 🌎💧 A recent analysis from Water Power Magazine highlights how increasing hydrologic variability—driven by rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns—is challenging traditional operating approaches. Key takeaways: • Historical operating rules are becoming less reliable as conditions grow more unpredictable 📊 • More flexible, dynamic reservoir management strategies are emerging ⚙️ • Increased emphasis on risk assessment, dam safety, and emergency preparedness 🚧 These global lessons reinforce an important message: Past assumptions are no longer sufficient for managing today’s water systems. As conditions continue to evolve, so must the strategies used to operate and maintain critical infrastructure. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gPEuZpDf #Dams #DamSafety #WaterResources #ClimateResilience #Infrastructure

🚤 Experience Engineering Up Close at the USSD Annual Conference Field Tour! Join us on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 8:00 AM – 4:45 PM (CDT) for a full-day field tour of two iconic Texas dams: Buchanan Dam and Mansfield Dam. Buchanan Dam • Multi-arch concrete structure on Valley Spring Gneiss bedrock (1930s) • Features six gravity non-overflow sections, two multi-arch sections, multiple spillways, and a powerhouse generating 54.9 MW • Designated a Texas Landmark by ASCE in 1990 Mansfield Dam • Built 1937–1941 by LCRA and the US Bureau of Reclamation on Edwards Plateau limestone • Composite structure: concrete gravity section + earth-filled wing & saddle dams • Powerhouse with 108 MW capacity • Features 24 flood tubes with hydraulic and electric gate controls Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see these engineering marvels up close and learn from their unique designs and operations. ⏰ Registration closes March 27! Secure your spot today: https://lnkd.in/erXHgAWa #USSD2026 #Dams #EngineeringTour #CivilEngineering #Hydropower #WaterInfrastructure

🌎 The 94th Annual Meeting of the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) 📅 May 22–29, 2026, in Guadalajara, Mexico, at Expo Guadalajara Registration is now open for this global gathering of dam and water infrastructure professionals. The 2026 symposium theme, “Water, Energy, and Society: The Evolving Role of Dams in a Changing World,” highlights the critical intersection of water resources, energy production, and societal needs. Discussions will focus on key global challenges, including: 💧 Climate resilience ⚡ Sustainable water management 🌱 Energy transition Throughout the week, participants can join Technical Committee meetings and workshops, regional and professional club meetings, and technical and cultural visits in and around Guadalajara. With major global events also scheduled in Guadalajara in 2026, attendees are encouraged to register early and secure accommodations in advance. Join the global dam engineering community in Mexico to exchange knowledge, discuss challenges, and help shape the future of water and energy infrastructure. 🔗 Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/eXSZ9FvQ #ICOLD2026 #Dams #WaterResources #Hydropower #Infrastructure #Engineering

🔹 USSD Webinar: Red Bluff Dam Foundation Grouting Program 🔹 Join us on Thursday, April 16th for an in-depth look at the Red Bluff Dam foundation grouting program! Red Bluff Dam, a high-hazard, 9,000-ft-long embankment dam on the Pecos River in West Texas, sits on a complex and variable geologic foundation. Early seepage and prior remedial efforts highlighted the need for a comprehensive foundation treatment. This webinar will cover: • Evolution of the foundation grouting program and the 8,000-ft, three-line grout curtain • Site characterization and risk-informed decision-making • Lessons from previous grouting phases shaping the current $75M+ program • Grouting strategies for variable soils and rock, including permeation grouting for the soil-like zone • Managing unstable ground, adaptive mix designs, and construction challenges • Approaches for handling and interpreting large subsurface datasets Attendees will gain practical insights into large-scale foundation grouting in complex geologic settings, with lessons applicable worldwide. 📅 Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026 ⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM MDT 🔗 Register now: https://lnkd.in/eYB725TP #USSD #DamSafety #DamEngineering #FoundationGrouting #SeepageMitigation #InfrastructureResilience

📣 2026 USSD Annual Conference – Secure Your Hotel Room! 🏨 We’re excited to welcome dam and levee professionals from across the country to the 2026 USSD Annual Conference & Exhibition in Austin, TX! 📍 Hotel Block Now Open: We’ve secured a room block at the Hilton Austin, located right in the heart of the conference action. Staying in the official block means closer access to sessions, networking, and evening events throughout the week. 💡 Why Book Through the USSD Block? • Staying in the official hotel helps USSD avoid financial penalties and keep registration fees lower. • You’ll benefit from after‑hours networking and easy access to meeting spaces. • Important: Only book through official USSD links! Avoid third‑party housing scams and protect your personal information. 📆 Planning ahead matters—secure your room early so you don’t miss out! Book here: https://lnkd.in/eaZJRKE7 #USSD2026 #Dams #AustinTX #ConferenceLodging #Networking

🎥 Featured Video: “Why Fish Ladders (Mostly) Work” Curious how engineering and aquatic ecosystems intersect at dams? This Practical Engineering video breaks down the mechanics of fish ladders—structures designed so migratory fish can continue their upstream journey past barriers like dams. The video explains how these passages use flowing water to guide fish around dams by creating routes they can swim and “ascend,” allowing them to reach upstream habitats that would otherwise be blocked. 👉 If you’re interested in how dam infrastructure can include ecological considerations like fish passage, watch the video here: https://lnkd.in/ghc-XAc2 💬 Join the conversation: What design strategies have you seen used in fish passage at dams? #DamSafety #Hydraulics #Ecosystems #FishPassage

🔎 USSD Committee Highlight | Bulletin Editorial Committee Behind every issue of “Dams & Levees: Bulletin of the U.S. Society on Dams” is a dedicated team of volunteers committed to sharing knowledge across our industry. The Bulletin Editorial Committee facilitates publication of Dams & Levees, USSD’s official magazine. Published four times per year, the Bulletin is distributed to USSD members and professionals in the dam and levee community, providing technical insights, industry updates, and valuable information relevant to our field. Committee Leadership: • Chair: Travis Tutka, USACE • Vice Chair: Sharon Krock, Schnabel Engineering • Young Professional Vice Chair: Gabe Staats, Black & Veatch Through their efforts, the committee helps ensure timely, high-quality content that supports professional engagement and knowledge sharing across the dam and levee industry. 🙏 Thank you to the Bulletin Editorial Committee for your leadership and service to USSD and our professional community. Learn more about our committees here: https://lnkd.in/er7nMXbW #USSD #CommitteeHighlight #DamsAndLevees #Infrastructure #ProfessionalService

📌 #DamHistory | Mansfield Dam Nestled in Travis and Burnet counties, Mansfield Dam was completed in 1942 as part of the Lower Colorado River Authority’s network of dams on the lower Colorado River. Built by LCRA and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from 1937 to 1942, the dam crosses a deep canyon at Marshall Ford. After a major flood in July 1938, its height was increased to add storage capacity for floodwaters, underscoring its critical role in regional water management. Designed for flood management, water-supply storage, and hydroelectric power, Mansfield Dam forms Lake Travis—uniquely engineered among the Highland Lakes to hold back floodwaters. Mansfield Dam continues to play a vital role in managing the Colorado River, helping reduce flood risk, secure water supplies, and generate power for the region. 🏗️ USSD conference attendees will have the opportunity to tour Mansfield Dam. 📅 Tour registration closes March 27. 💧 Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/effUFmQs #USSD2026 #DamHistory #WaterManagement #Infrastructure #TexasHistory #Hydropower