News, June 2026

During the period 22-26 June 2026, the 32nd Meeting of the EWG on Internal Erosion (EWG-IE) and the 7th Meeting of the EWG on Overflow and Overtopping Erosion (EWG – OOE) were successfully organized in Delft, Netherlands

During these meetings, participants discussed several important topics, including

• Monitoring and geophysical methods for internal erosion, Numerical Modelling, internal erosion mechanisms, Laboratory research and interpretation as well as the presentation of different case studies.
• Protective technologies against overflowing erosion of dams and levees, over topping erosion of levees, overflowing erosion of bedrock downstream of concrete dams and overflowing erosion of spillway.
• Current and upcoming European scientific research project in the dam and reservoir sector (9 main research and scientific projects) including Research project for NWO digital dikes, Research project on screening method, Research project on subsoil of river dikes and internal erosion, BIGALPS, BEAVER4 Life, etc.

The workshops brought together a broad range of experts from Research Institutions, Universities and Industry, providing an excellent opportunity for knowledge exchange and strengthening cooperation within European dam community

The meeting was also attended by the President of EURCOLD, Mr. Jovani, who welcomed the successful organization of these activities and emphasized the importance of addressing such significant issues, which represent some of key challenges for dam safety in Europe. He highlighted the importance of promoting the modern approach to overtopping risk reduction and the Modern approach to Internal erosion management as essential elements of the future dam safety strategies.

The main conclusions from these meetings were:

• Over topping and Internal Erosion are not new challenges. What is new is the urgency created by climate change, aging dam infrastructure, and increasing societal expectations regarding dam safety.
• These challenges cannot be solved by dam owners alone. They require close cooperation among dam owners, Universities, government Institutions, Researchers and Academic Institutions.
• Scientific research must remain at the center of dam safety policy. Investments in the research are the fundamental in public safety

These conclusions underline the importance of continued international cooperation and knowledge exchange within the European dam community.