Topic outline

  • FEMA: Impact of Vegetation on Earthen Dams

    Credits: 8 PDH

    PDH Course Description:

    Damage to earthen dams and dam safety issues associated with tree and woody vegetation penetrations of earthen dams is all too often believed by many dam owners, safety regulators, and engineers to be a routine maintenance situation. Contrary to this belief, tree and woody vegetation penetrations of earthen dams and their appurtenances have been demonstrated to be causes of serious structural deterioration and distress that can result in failure of earthen dams.

    Topics:

    • Detrimental impact of tree and woody vegetation growth on earthen dam safety
    • Methods used to maintain desirable ground-covering vegetation on the embankments of earthen dams
    • Procedures for maintaining desirable ground-covering vegetation on the embankments of earthen dams
    • Benefits of using ground-covering vegetation on earthen dam embankments

    To take this course:

    1.) Enroll in Course: Click below to enroll:
    (must be logged into your user account)


    2.) Study: Once enrolled, click below to begin the course:

    Download the Study Guide

    3.) Test: Once you've thoroughly read the course materials, please click below to take the final examination.

    Take the final exam

    4.) Certificate: A passing grade of 70% or higher on the exam, is required to receive the certificate of completion for this PDH course.
         NOTE: After the exam is completed, you will need to return to this page, in order to print (download) the certificate of completion.

    Print the Certificate of Completion


    Intended Audience: This course is intended for Geotechnical, Civil, Construction, Hydraulic, Structural, Foundations, and other engineers whose job description may require an intermediate knowledge of the preventive and corrective maintenance of earthen dam structures.
    Publication Source: Federal Emergency Management Authority

    Mark Rossow PhD, PE (retired)
    • Topic 1