USSD Monthly News
USSD News

New Technical White Paper Released

USSD is proud to announce the release of a new technical white paper:

Water Pressure Monitoring Using Fully-Grouted Vibrating Wire Piezometer Installations

Developed by the USSD Committee on Monitoring of Dams and Their Foundations

As part of USSD’s white paper series focused on advancing dam safety monitoring practices, this publication takes a deeper dive into a specific technical issue affecting practitioners today. The paper provides practical, state-of-the-practice guidance on when fully grouted vibrating wire piezometer installations are appropriate—and when they may not be.

Designed for engineers, dam safety professionals, regulators, and consultants, this resource offers:

✔ Clear technical discussion of fully-grouted installation methods
✔ Considerations for appropriate application
✔ Practical insights grounded in current industry practice

Whether you are evaluating installation approaches or refining your monitoring program, this paper delivers actionable value.

Access & Pricing

  • USSD Members: Complimentary
  • Non-Members: $60 (USSD Learning Center)

The white paper is available through the USSD Learning Center at the link below:
🔗 https://training.ussdams.org/p/WaterPressureMonitoring 

Not a member? Consider joining USSD to access this and other technical resources at no additional cost. 

We extend our sincere appreciation to the Monitoring of Dams and Their Foundations Committee, principal contributors, and reviewers whose expertise made this important resource possible.

 

 

USSD's Advocacy and Awareness Committee will meet virtually on February 25th at 12pm-1pm MT.

USSD Members and interested professionals are welcome to participate and engage in current initiatives and discussions.

To receive the calendar invitation and meeting details, please contact Jeremy Begley at j.begley@mapei.com by Tuesday, February 24th.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HydroTurf® Hard Armor for Regulated Dam Infrastructure
Watershed Geosynthetics LLC®
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Explore HydroTurf® National Inventory of Dams Projects
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We’re proud to recognize our 2026 Annual Sponsors and spotlight them collectively as partners who are advancing technical excellence, leadership development, and connection across our Dams community:

🚨🌍 USSD is increasing its engagement at ICOLD 2026 in Guadalajara, MX

We are opening high visibility opportunities for organizations to join USSD in engaging the international community. Direct sponsorship of our exhibit presence and involvement in a USSD hosted reception provides your company with global visibility and connection. This opportunity reflects USSD’s strategic commitment to strengthen relationships and cultivate global leadership.

🤝 We are hopeful to gain and deeply need additional sponsors to help make this work possible.

For Annual Sponsorship or ICOLD 2026 opportunity information, contact us today. Together, we strengthen the profession and the communities we serve.

Board of Directors Elections

River  

USSD members, let your voice be heard! It is time to select new individuals who will join the USSD Board of Directors. The voting window closes on March 15, 2026. All active USSD members eligible to vote have been sent an election announcement email with the details needed to access the voting portal. If you have not received your login credentials, please contact info@ussdams.org.

Find more information and view the list of candidates on our website at: 
https://www.ussdams.org/board-of-directors-elections/

 

What’s New on the USSD 2026 Conference Site

     > Full Conference Agenda 
     > 74 Exhibitors & Counting! View All / Reserve Space 
     > General Registration is Open 
     > Government Booking Link for Lodging 
     > Create Your Own Austin Experience  
  
We’ll keep this eNews space updated with monthly highlights of new  content as it's added to our site: https://www.accelevents.com/e/2026-  ussd-annual-conference-exhibition  



Brayman Construction Corp.
In-Situ Inc.
USSD Education and Events

Upcoming Webinars & Workshops

 January 26, 2026

 Leveraging PFMA to Perform SQRA

 February 12, 2026

 Excelling as a Recorder in Risk Analysis Workshops 
 March 18, 2026

 Estimation of Potential Seismic Displacements of Embankment Dams 

 March 26, 2026

 Young Professional Dam Safety Training and Capacity Building in Ethiopia 

 April 16, 2026

 Red Bluff Dam Foundation Grouting Annual Conference Webinar 
 *Conference registrants will receive free webinar registration*

 October 26, 2026

 Best Practices in Dam and Levee Safety Risk Analysis Workshop

 Registration Coming Soon  Internal Erosion Workshop (DLS-208)
 Registration Coming Soon  Fundamentals of Facilitating a Semi-Quantitative Risk Analysis

View a full list of USSD upcoming events 

Forgen is for generations.
Forgen®
Forgen is an environmental solutions contractor specializing in remediation, geotechnical, and water resource projects. Committed to building a future for generations, we take on tough environmental challenges, focusing on dam rehabilitation, levee construction, and flood protection. With deep industry expertise and a passion for making a difference, Forgen delivers high-quality, responsible solutions that stand the test of time.
Learn more at forgen.com
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2026 USSD Annual Conference—New Workshop Announced!

Long-Term Reservoir Sedimentation Analysis using HEC-HMS” offers a unique opportunity for professionals to stay at the forefront of sediment management technology. Click here to read more.

Kleinschmidt Associates
Flow Science Inc.
Industry News & Updates

A Significant Upgrade for a Vital Waterway

River  

Demolition is underway at the Montgomery Locks and Dam near Monaca, Pennsylvania, marking the beginning of a transformative $1.59 billion infrastructure project led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Originally constructed in the 1920s, the aging lock chamber is being replaced with a modern 110' x 600' (ft) primary lock chamber to accommodate larger vessels and improve navigation efficiency along the Ohio River. With completion expected by 2033, this massive undertaking will not only enhance commercial transportation but also support regional economic growth for decades to come. International Construction Equipment, Inc. (ICE®) played a key role in the early stages... Read more here

Schnabel Engineering Celebrates 70 Years of Engineering Excellence 

        Founder Jim Schnabel
        Founder Jim Schnabel

(GLEN ALLEN, VA) – Schnabel Engineering is marking a major milestone in 2026 as the firm celebrates 70 years of delivering innovative geotechnical, dam, and tunnel engineering solutions across the United States and around the world. 
Read more...

 

Updated Course:
Dams Sector Protective Measures (FOUO) (IS-872b)

The Independent Study: Dams Sector Protective Measures Course (FOUO) (IS-872b) has been updated and is ready for professionals across the country supporting the Dams Sector to complete at their own pace. The Dams Sector: Protective Measures course explains how protective programs can be used to reduce and manage risk within the Dams Sector. It highlights the steps and plans for establishing and implementing a protective program and examples of physical and cyber protective measures to achieve security outcomes. The course is a companion to the Dams Sector Protective Measures Handbook (FOUO).

General information about the course can be found on the FEMA Emergency Management Institute website at https://training.fema.gov/is/courseoverview.aspx?code=IS-872.b&lang=en.

November-December 2025 Dams Sector Open-Source Digest

The digest provides you with consolidated, relevant sector information, including upcoming events, Dams SRMA updates, CISA updates, and information from our federal partners. It also features sector-related news stories from the past month, broken down by CISA region.

🔗 Access here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:5a1d9fc0-8702-488d-b96b-6d0531055a5ahttps://bit.ly/3M3skTc 

Ames Construction - General Contractor
Ames Construction, Inc.®
Ames Construction is a full-service, heavy civil and Industrial General Contractor building quality dam projects across the United States. Our mission is to provide construction solutions in harmony with
nature so that our people, clients, partners, and communities flourish.
Rooted in our core values of People, Team, Our Bond, Persistence, and Vision, we take pride in maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and environmental stewardship
.
www.amesconstruction .com
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USSD Membership

USSD Winter Bulletin Available

Bringing timely insights and technical learnings from across the dam safety community, this issue covers:

🔹 Lessons learned from applying the Material Point Method to dam failure analysis
🔹 An update on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ low-head dam inventory
🔹 A new white paper on replacing 5,000-lb trunnion pins on a giant radial spillway gate

From advanced modeling techniques to practical, boots-on-the-ground engineering solutions, this Bulletin delivers knowledge you can put to work.

📖 Explore the Winter Bulletin now and stay informed on the latest developments shaping dam engineering and safety: https://www.ussdams.org/resource-center/bulletin/

Reminder: New USSD Hydromechanical Committee Launched

USSD is excited to announce the launch of the Hydromechanical Committee, dedicated to advancing the engineering practice of dam appurtenant structures, with a focus on flow control devices such as gates and valves.

Our mission is to develop technical guidance, foster innovation, encourage knowledge sharing, support professional development, and build community among professionals engaged in the inspection, analysis, design, operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of these critical dam components.

Reach out to Kevin Gerst via LinkedIn OR email info@ussdams.org if you are interested in joining the Hydromechanical Committee today!

Schnabel Engineering
KGS Group

USSD Career Center (Active Job Posts)

  • Senior Dam Safety Engineer, Slate Geotechnical Consulants
    CA-based; Remote Work Option (in the US)
  • Recent job postings for FERC and Tacoma Power expired prior to this eNews; Subscribe to receive job posting notifications in your inbox! Sign up on the USSD Career Center.
General Industry News

📣 Got big news to share? We want to hear it!

Whether you're presenting at a conference, featured in a publication, or sharing a project that supports the dam and levee community, let USSD help you spread the word!

Sharing your story is easy:
1️⃣ Collect the details: who, what, where, and when
2️⃣ Fill out a quick form
3️⃣ Hit submit! We’ll take it from there. 

Hydro Component Systems, LLC
Stantec