Dam Failure Lesson Learned: Forensic investigations are needed for major dam failures and incidents in order to determine the history of the contributing physical and human factors, and the culminating physical failure modes and mechanisms.

Forensic investigations are needed for major dam failures and incidents in order to determine the history of the contributing physical and human factors, and the culminating physical failure modes and mechanisms. Forensic investigations also often yield valuable information on lessons to be learned by the dam industry in order to prevent similar failures in the future. Forensic investigations can also aid in the rebuilding or repair of a dam following the event.