Best Practices for Communication of Your Dam Modeling Planning, Efforts, and Results

Computer models serve as vital tools in the evaluation and design of dams. One crucial aspect of dam modeling that is often overlooked is communication. Effective modeling efforts necessitate both technical and nontechnical communication among dam owners, regulatory agencies, external reviewers, colleagues, decision makers, local government officials, and the public. To address this essential requirement, a Dam Safety Toolbox Committee Study Group of the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) has developed guidance for model communication. This initiative received funding through a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Assistance to States grant under the National Dam Safety Act.

The guidance is presented in a series of concise factsheets available on the ASDSO Dam Safety Toolbox (2025) website (https://damtoolbox.org/wiki/Modeling_Communication). Currently, these factsheets cover hydrologic, hydraulic, dam break, seepage, and stability modeling, with plans to encompass additional types of dam modeling in the future.