Frequently asked questions
Search or filter by category — most things people ask before or right after signing up.
General
What is Dam-Smart?
Compliance-tracking software for owners of small, privately-regulated dams, and for the engineering consultancies that file Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and inspection reports on their behalf. It tracks inspection and filing due dates, keeps a record of a dam's compliance status, and offers a free public lookup tool.
What states does Dam-Smart cover?
Connecticut, Georgia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin today, each built from that state's own public dam-safety filing data. See each state's requirements page for the specifics of its filing deadline and hazard classification scheme.
Is Dam-Smart affiliated with any state dam-safety program?
No. Dam-Smart is an independent product, not a government agency or a contractor to one. Where a state doesn't publish enough to compute a reliable due date, Dam-Smart says so rather than guessing.
Is anything on Dam-Smart legal advice?
No. Dam-Smart is an informational compliance-tracking tool. Always verify current requirements with your state dam-safety program directly, especially before a filing deadline.
For dam owners
How do I find my dam?
Search by dam name, owner, or county from the homepage. Can't find it? Use "Request it be added" under the search box — the seeded inventory is only as fresh as each state's last publish, so a newly built or newly regulated dam can be a real gap, not a bug.
How do I claim my dam?
Open its record and click "Is this your dam?" Where the state publishes a mailing ZIP code on file, entering a match verifies your claim instantly. Otherwise it's added as unverified — still fully visible on your dashboard while you confirm it.
How do self-inspections work?
From your dashboard, click "Start an inspection" on a claimed dam. Walk the dam and capture each checklist item — crest, slopes, spillways, and more — with a note and, where your browser allows location access, a GPS tag per checkpoint. Complete the visit to save it to your dam's inspection history.
Can I try Dam-Smart without claiming a real dam?
Yes. A new account has a "Load demo data" tool on the dashboard that adds a few sample dams with inspection history so you can see the whole product before touching anything real. "Delete demo data" removes every bit of it whenever you're done.
Can I download a compliance summary?
Yes — "Download compliance summary (PDF)" on any claimed dam produces a record you can hand to an inspector, a buyer, or your own files.
For consultancies
How do client dams get into my portfolio?
Dam-Smart doesn't yet let a firm add a client's dam on its own — your client invites you from their own dashboard (Dashboard → Invite your engineer), and it appears in your client portfolio the moment you accept. Send clients your sign-up link and ask them to invite you once they've claimed their dam.
What's the difference between Solo and Firm?
Both get unlimited client dams via invite, portfolio grouping, compliance PDFs, and due-date reminders, for free on Solo. Firm ($199/month) adds priority support, hands-on onboarding for your client roster, job/billing tracking with QuickBooks and Stripe, a team of staff and inspector logins, and early access to new state programmes.
Can I add staff or inspectors to my account?
Yes, on the Firm plan — invite them from your client portfolio's Team tab. Staff share your full client portfolio; inspectors only see the dams you assign them, including offline in the field.
Can I send real invoices to clients?
On the Firm plan, connect QuickBooks or your own Stripe account from Settings to send a real invoice or payment link. Without either connected, you can still track jobs and mark one invoiced or paid by hand as a record of what you sent elsewhere.
Does Dam-Smart support white-label reports and multi-tenant client portfolios?
Yes — every generated inspection and filing report can carry your firm's own logo, PE seal, and brand color instead of Dam-Smart's, and one firm account is a multi-tenant portfolio grouping every client dam it has access to. See everything built for firms, including what's on the roadmap (drone photogrammetry, AI-assisted defect detection, and full white-label client portals aren't shipped yet).
Pricing & plans
How much does Dam-Smart cost?
Dam owners get 1 claimed dam free, with compliance tracking, a downloadable PDF, and self-inspection included; unlimited dams and engineer invites are $49/month (Pro). Engineering consultancies get unlimited client dams via invite for free (Solo); Firm is $199/month. See the full pricing page.
How do I upgrade my plan?
Click "Upgrade to Pro" or "Upgrade to Firm" from your dashboard, settings, or the pricing page.
How do I manage or cancel my subscription?
If you're on the Pro plan, click "Manage billing" on your dashboard to open Stripe's billing portal — update your card or cancel any time. Firm-plan accounts should reach out to support@dam-sure.com for now.
Data & privacy
How current is the dam data?
It's compiled from each state's own public dam-safety filings and is only ever as fresh as that state's last publish. If something looks wrong or out of date on a dam's record, let us know.
What happens to my data if I stop using Dam-Smart?
See the Privacy Policy for the full details on what's collected and how it's handled.
I'm already a customer — where do I get help using the product?
Log in and open Help from your account menu (top right) for step-by-step instructions grouped by task, or email us directly.