Welcome to A Dam Conversation - With Chris Goodell!

This is an Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) podcast sharing the stories of leaders and innovators in the dam safety community. 

Today, we welcomed Chris Goodell, a leader in HEC-RAS modeling, providing risk-based solutions to dam owners worldwide. Chris, thank you for your stories and advice!

Key Takeaways from This Episode

• 1:30 - Discussion on playing to your strengths: Civil Engineering is so broad! Find your own path - structural, hydraulic, geotechnical, mechanical, environmental, and many more licensures play a part in dam safety and dam engineering. What’s your passion?
• 11:00 - Technology revolutions, how to adapt, and a new software developed by Chris: “McBreach.” I bet you’ve never had a McNugget this good!
• 17:30 - How does one find a mentor?... Be present, reach out, and ask smart people dam questions!
•  20:25 - HEC-RAS: Chris’s vlog and podcast about H&H modeling. 
• Links here:
   https://www.kleinschmidtgroup.com/full-momentum-vodcast/ 
  • https://therassolution.kleinschmidtgroup.com/
•  23:25 - As engineers, we love to solve problems. But it takes practice to ask for help and increase our knowledge and efficiency. You’d be surprised how many professionals are happy to reach out!
• 26:17 - Importance of networking for developing your career (even for introverts!)
• 27:55 - Continuing education and teaching others: get training, get involved, present, teach others, and go for it!
• HEC training (FREE!!): https://www.hec.usace.army.mil/training/
• Chris was just named as one of the top 75 most influential people in hydropower by Water Power Magazine, take a look! The Influencers 75 most influential people in hydropower 

We want to hear from you! Send us a message at [e-mail] and let us know what questions you may have for our leaders and innovators. 

Get Involved!

Association Membership

In addition to free resources for the Dam Safety community, membership with ASDSO provides the following list of benefits and more! Follow this link to join! https://www.damsafety.org/basic-page/become-member  

• Member discounts on all training and products
• Unlimited access to full ASDSO conference papers
• Online member directory
• Miscellaneous surveys archive
• Journal of Dam Safety

Committee Membership

Consider joining one of the many ASDSO committees and Interest Groups. Find the full list at the following link:  Committees and Interest Groups | Association of State Dam Safety

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Find upcoming training opportunities, including on-demand webinars, live webinars, seminars, and past content in the Training Center! Training Center | Association of State Dam Safety

ASDSO Toolbox

The ASDSO Toolbox (www.damtoolbox.org) is intended to be a one-stop shop for current guidelines and regulations of the dam safety industry. The content is growing but we need your help to further the momentum! Consider volunteering as a moderator, proposing new content, or suggesting additional resources.

This program was copyrighted in 2024 by the Association of State Dam Safety Officials with All Rights Res