What is BDS?
The British Dam Society (BDS) is an Associated Society of the Institution of Civil Engineers. It consists of individual and corporate members. It is open to anyone wanting to share experience or knowledge of all aspects of dams and reservoirs.
BDS News
The British Dam Society 23rd Biennial Conference – Call for Papers and Workshop Ideas
At the 2026 conference, the BDS wishes to reflect on how the industry has adapted its approach under current legislation and consider how things may change with the implementation of the Reservoir Safety Reform Programme.
Authors are invited to submit their synopses (for either a technical paper or workshop proposal) of not more than 250 words to Andrew Thompson, the BDS Honorary Technical Secretary, by e-mail (hontechsec@britishdams.org). The deadline for submission is by 30th January 2026. Information should include:
- The provisional title of the paper or workshop,
- 250-word synopsis,
- Author’s name, telephone and e-mail address.
Call for Papers – Dams and Reservoirs Journal
Dams and Reservoirs is your professional, peer-reviewed journal, and we are actively seeking submissions for upcoming issues.
We are sure you have an interesting project to share with fellow BDS members, perhaps a new development, an innovative technology, or lessons learned that could benefit others?
We look forward to hearing from you. Please contact the Editor, Andrew Pepper, at editor@britishdams.org or atpec@peppernet.org for more information and guidance on submissions.
European Working Groups for Internal Erosion and for Overflow and Overtopping Erosion – 2026 Annual Meetings
The European Working Group for Internal Erosion and the European Working Group for Overflow and Overtopping Erosion have announced dates for the next annual meetings to be held at Deltares, Delft, the Netherlands, between the 22nd to 26th June 2026.
EurCOLD 13th Symposium
The 13th EurCOLD Symposium will take place in Bydgoszcz (Poland), from 21st to 25th September 2026.
The Symposium will address a wide range of current challenges faced by dams across Europe. Deadline for abstract submission is 15th January 2026. For more information, refer to the flyer.
Registration is now open for ICOLD 2026
Registration is now open for ICOLD 2026, which will take place in Mexico from 21–29 May 2026. Researchers, practitioners, and industry experts involved in all areas of dam engineering, including water dams and tailings dams, are invited to register.
Events
BDS Event:- Young Professionals CPD - Qualitative Risk Assessment of Internal Erosion in Dams
Date: 18 December 2025
12:00 - 12:30
Location: Webinar
BDS Event:- Young Professionals CPD - Yusufeli Dam
Date: 29 January 2026
12:00 - 12:30
Location: Webinar
BDS Event:- Managing risk at Victoria Service Reservoir + Springwell Service Reservoir, managing and effectively mitigating ground risks in design and construction + Recent underwater geomembranes solutions for dams and canals
Date: 9 February 2026
18:00 - 19:30
Location: ICE, One Great George Street, Godfrey Mitchell Theatre
BDS Event:- Young Professionals CPD - SE Perspective on Toddbrook Reservoir Incident - TBC
Date: 26 February 2026
12:00 - 12:30
Location: Webinar
BGA - Event - 1st BGA Women in Geotechnics (WiGeotech) Afternoon Tea
Date: 2 March 2026
14:30 - 17:30
Location: ICE, One Great George Street, London SW1P 3AA