Download the DSPMT Software 

(Current DSPMT Software is Version 2.341, Dated 6 August, 2008)

 The NDSRB, ASDSO, and CRS are requested updated State Program Performance report information, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Topographic Engineering Center is requesting updated inventory information for the National Inventory of Dams (NID)

The requested deadline for providing this information is 31 July, 2008.  Results will be provided at the 2008 ASDSO Annual Conference.

For full details regarding this data request and to show the current submittal status of information provided, click on the link below:

Display the Submittal Status of Updated NID data and State Program Performance Report Information

After all Federal Agency Data submittals are received, Duplicate Data Resolution processing is performed to merge duplicate NID records into a single record.  Click on the following link for the Status of this process:

This is accomplished by utilizing a stand-alone computer program that interacts with the NID, local databases, Palm-based data collectors, and other external cooperative databases. The vision is to achieve:

The DSPMT consists of a set of interactive software programs that provide a resource to the dam safety data owners, managers, and data providers. The DSPMT currently includes four distinct functional software areas - the Dam Safety Program Performance Measures (DSPPM), the NID Electronic Submittal Workflow, and data reporting tools to National oversight organizations such as the National Dam Safety Review Board (NDSRB) and the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO).

The DSPPM is applicable to all levels of a dam safety organization. Performance measures have been defined and implemented in the following seven key areas:

Output from the program at each level can be used individually and/or collectively as input at the next higher level to evaluate program performance on broader and broader scales (e.g., district, division, agency, state). The performance measures (or indicators) can be used by organizations such as FEMA, the National Dam Safety Review Board, ICODS, ASDSO, and the United States Society on Dams to evaluate the health and progress of dam safety programs on national scales. 

The NID Electronic Submittal Workflow software is a natural extension of the NID and part of the DSPMT to help users provide a consistent, error-checked electronic submittal of inventory information. The electronic submittal workflow starts by importing a state or federal agency's local inventory of dams, which can be in a variety of database formats. Any blank fields in the local inventory data are then be updated with information from the current NID. Interactive graphical tools provided by the DSPMT are then be utilized to check for data errors in numeric values and spelling errors or inconsistencies in text values. The NID inclusion rules are then applied. Potential duplicate submittals of data are identified to the user for evaluation and possible removal from the candidate. Additional quality assurance checks are provided to ensure consistency and data quality. The data submittal is checked for differences between the candidate and the current NID, and is then electronically sent to the Corps for review and incorporation into the NID. 

Use of the DSPMT by federal agencies and the states is illustrated in the information flow overview shown at the bottom of the page. An organization's local inventory of dams, in a variety of data formats, can be imported into the DSPMT and used as the local inventory of dams for numerous functions, including performance measure data submittals, NID data submittals, generation of the FEMA State Evaluation Criteria Report, and the biennial report to the Congress on the National Dam Safety Program. 

By performing data submittal workflows at the state and agency level, those most familiar with the data and most qualified to make any changes, specifically the data owners, managers, and data providers, are kept in the loop by the program as it highlights areas in the data that potentially need attention, modification, or double-checking. By performing these workflows at the state and agency level, and by using the original data from the day-to-day dam inventory management tools, the data quality and accuracy of the submittal is significantly enhanced. By utilizing the tools provided by the DSPMT, data managers and providers can achieve the one-time-only data entry objective while maintaining an up-to-date, error-checked, consistent format database of dam inventory and program performance information.

With continued reductions in budgets and staffing, both federal and non-federal dam safety programs are in need of continuous efficiency and effectiveness improvements. In addition, there is an ever-increasing need for performance-based reporting internally and to FEMA, Congress, and State Legislatures. The DSPMT provides the tools necessary for evaluating dam safety programs, for reporting accomplishments, and for expressing program needs to others. As a working tool, it implements true one-time-only data entry, provides assistance to program managers in achieving continuous program improvement, is a self-evaluation tool and an internal and external reporting tool, and encourages results-oriented management practices. By using the DSPMT, states and federal agencies will be assured of a more consistent, error-checked submittal of inventory and performance measure information provided on a periodic or as-needed basis.