Briefing: International research into surface and internal erosion of dams and levees

Abstract

The need for a clearer understanding of how both surface and internal erosion processes develop across dams and levees has been at the forefront of research priorities for the last decade. Two events in 2025 gave the opportunity for researchers and practitioners to share details of research progress, and notable conclusions, along with industry needs. These events were: (1) Protections 2025: 5th International Seminar on Dam Protections Against Overtopping (USDA Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA. 29–30 April 2025); and (2) EURCOLD European Working Group meetings on Internal Erosion and Overtopping and Overflowing Erosion (Brno, Czech Republic. 23–27 June, 2025). This briefing note provides a brief summary of the events, the key organisations active in the field of dam and levee erosion and protection, and notable progress and conclusions of this research presented.