Challenges and technological innovation requirements for building safe dams in China

WANG Xiaogang; ZHENG Cuiying

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-1123.2025.20.003

Abstract：China has a large number of reservoir dams,and their safety constitutes an important component of the national water security strategy.In the context of frequent extreme hydrological events induced by global climate change,increasingly complex environmental conditions faced by dams,and the growing demand for effective risk prevention and quality development,Minister of Water Resources Li Guoying proposed the initiative of"building safe dams,ecological dams and smart dams"at the 28th ICOLD Congress.To further deepen the understanding of"safe dams",this paper outlines the current status of dam construction and overall dam safety in China.By comparing the traditional concept of dam safety with the requirements of high-quality development in the new era,it clarifies the connotation of constructing safe dams and analyzes the main challenges currently faced,including the safety risks of medium and low-earth-rockfill dams under climate change,the safety risks of high dams under complex construction conditions,and the basin system safety risks arising from cascade development.The paper emphasizes that building safe dams depends on technological innovation,elaborates on technological progress achieved in enhancing the intrinsic safety of small and medium-sized reservoir dams,ensuring the safety of ultra-high dams,and constructing smart dams,and proposes further needs for scientific and technological innovation and technical advancement in related fields.These efforts aim to support the construction of safe dams and the establishment of a comprehensive dam safety assurance system.