For 30 years, the federal government has used the National Dam Safety Program (NDSP) to protect Americans from dam failure. The NDSP is a partnership of the states, federal agencies, and other stakeholders that encourages individual and community responsibility for dam safety.
What NDSP Includes
Information Needs for Dam Safety
Under FEMA’s leadership, state assistance funds have enabled all participating states to better their programs through increased inspections, emergency action planning and the purchase of needed equipment.
Dam Safety Training
FEMA has expanded existing training programs and initiated new training programs to enhance the sharing of expertise between the federal and state sectors.
Grant Assistance to the States
Grant assistance provides vital support for the improvement of state dam safety programs that regulate most of the 87,000 dams in the United States.
Dam Safety Research
A national research program in dam safety focuses on priorities and produces products for both the layperson and the expert and develops technological tools that drive data collection and analysis toward a better understanding of risk and remediation needs.
NDSP Partners
To encourage individual and community responsibility for dam safety, FEMA coordinates partnerships through two Federal organizations, the National Dam Safety Review Board and Interagency Committee on Dam Safety.
Publications and Resources
For a listing of publications and resources, visit Dam Safety Publications & Resources.
Related Topics
