Prioritization of dam rehabilitation, improved flood warning systems, development of emergency action plans, and inform policy makers on zoning regulations.

WinDAM C models erosion in earthen embankments as well as erosion in earthen auxiliary spillways of dams. The three-phase erosion model was jointly developed by the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and the NRCS.

1) Phase one of the erosion or failure process is failure of the vegetal cover and development of concentrated flow.

2) Phase two is downward erosion in the area of concentrated flow, resulting in headcut formation.

3) Phase three is downward and upstream movement of the headcut, potentially breaching the spillway or embankment.

Each phase is described by a set of threshold-rate relationships based on the process mechanics. A headcut erodibility index (Kh) describes the resistance of the exposed geologic materials to erosive attack during the third phase of the process.