What is BDS?

1st BGA Women in Geotechnics Symposium, 2 March 2026

The British Geotechnical Association (BGA), with the support of the Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists (AGS), has announced the launch of the Women in Geotechnics (WiGeotech) Afternoon Tea, a half-day networking event for professionals across the British ground engineering sector. The BDS is a sponsor of this event.

Natural England Publishes New Design Principles for Reservoirs in the Landscape

In response to the opportunity presented by the proposed programme of new reservoirs, Natural England have published Reservoirs in the Landscape: Design Principles. Developed in consultation with water companies, their landscape consultants and other stakeholders, the principles aim to encourage good design, integrating reservoirs into the landscape, while promoting biodiversity, heritage and public access to nature. There are five defining principles, underpinned by guiding principles and actions.

The British Dam Society 23rd Biennial Conference – Call for Papers and Workshop Ideas

At the 2026 conference, the BDS wishes to reflect on how the industry has adapted its approach under current legislation and consider how things may change with the implementation of the Reservoir Safety Reform Programme. 

Authors are invited to submit their synopses (for either a technical paper or workshop proposal) of not more than 250 words to Andrew Thompson, the BDS Honorary Technical Secretary, by e-mail (hontechsec@britishdams.org). The deadline for submission is by 30th January 2026. Information should include: 

• The provisional title of the paper or workshop,  
• 250-word synopsis,  
• Author’s name, telephone and e-mail address.   

Call for Papers – Dams and Reservoirs Journal

Dams and Reservoirs is your professional, peer-reviewed journal, and we are actively seeking submissions for upcoming issues. 

We are sure you have an interesting project to share with fellow BDS members, perhaps a new development, an innovative technology, or lessons learned that could benefit others?

We look forward to hearing from you. Please contact the Editor, Andrew Pepper, at editor@britishdams.org or atpec@peppernet.org for more information and guidance on submissions. 

European Working Groups for Internal Erosion and for Overflow and Overtopping Erosion – 2026 Annual Meetings

The European Working Group for Internal Erosion and the European Working Group for Overflow and Overtopping Erosion have announced dates for the next annual meetings to be held at Deltares, Delft, the Netherlands, between the 22nd to 26th June 2026.