Events
Dams & Reservoirs Day 2025
Declaration
Dams and Reservoirs Day is an annual celebration established by EurCOLD (ICOLD European Club) and held in May.
The initiative was launched by the Italian Committee on Large Dams (ITCOLD) to advocate for, recognize contributions to, and promote knowledge about the role of dams, reservoirs, tailings dams, and levees in economic, social, and environmental contexts. The event was first celebrated on May 29, 2024, under the motto “Dam Day: Reservoirs for Europe.”
This year, the second edition will take place on May 28, with active participation from EurCOLD member countries. Objectives and structure: The main objectives of Dams and Reservoirs Day include:
• Raising public awareness about dams, reservoirs, tailings dams, and levees.
• Engaging local communities and highlighting their value in sustainable social development and prosperity.
• Educating children, young people, and society on their contributions.
• Providing high school students and young professionals with information on job opportunities in the sector.
• Promoting interactions between professionals and administrative bodies involved in the field.
Dams and Reservoirs Day is celebrated across Europe with various events that showcase the crucial role of these infrastructures. The event highlights their resilience and adaptability to climate change extremes—such as floods and droughts—while addressing the growing demand for potable water, energy production, and irrigation.
Related activities may also take place in the days leading up to or following the official celebration. Coordination: Events at the national level are coordinated by the European ICOLD National Committees.
EurCOLD organizes activities and works closely with National Committees to enhance engagement, ensure synchronization, and promote the main objectives of Dams and Reservoirs Day. Examples of activities: Interested parties (Dam owners, Authorities, cultural Associations, Universities, etc.) are encouraged to conduct events and activities such as technical visits to dams and excursions, debates, seminars, etc. The event is also supported by an online campaign in social media.
History:
“Dam Day” was formally proposed by the Italian Committee on Large Dams (ITCOLD) to ICOLD European Club members during the 2023 Board Meetings in Gothenburg and Interlaken (91st ICOLD Annual Meeting and 12th ICOLD European Club Symposium, respectively). In March 2024, during an online EurCOLD Board Meeting, the proposal was approved, and it was officially declared that the event would take place each year in the second half of May, with the exact date determined annually. In February 2025, the event was renamed “Dams and Reservoirs Day” with the secondary title “Water and Energy Security for Europe”.
Documentation:
The core document reflecting the values of Dams and Reservoirs Day is the Manifesto, initially issued by EurCOLD in 2016. In May 2025, EurCOLD will publish a position paper along with an updated Manifesto to reaffirm and adapt its principles to current challenges and developments.
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