Spain has, nowadays, approximately about one thousand Big Dams, plus a large number of Reservoirs of a smaller size.

Our country, has a well known tradition in the construction and operation of dams, with an important number of them since the Roman Empire. Two of them: Proserpina and Cornalbo, probably built in the II Century a.C , still provide the water supply to the city of Mérida. Also, the dam of Tibi, works concluded in 1594 and 41 m. high, was for two centuries the highest in the world.

These and many other dams, which are not necessarily so old, have suffered all along the years the destructive action of nature, with the result of a more or less important gradual and logic damage. Therefore, there is a constant and essential need of conservation, supervision and rehabilitation services in order to guarantee the operation, supply and security meassures

It is well known that during this past Century, the 60's, Spain has kept a high dam construction rate which has decreased in the last decade. The recently approved National Hydrologic Plan contemplates the construction of dams and other works in order to correct the hydrographic differences in the diverse areas of the country. In any case, the important heritage of dams in our country, require more and more attention, therefore it is expected that the conservation and rehabilitation of these dams will be main goals for scientists, technicians, consultants and constructors in the coming years, not only in Spain but in any other country where there is a certain number of dams several years old.

For this reason, the Spanish Ministry of Environment, by way of the Secretary of State for Water and Coasts - Directorate General of Hydraulic Works, and the Spanish Association of Dams and Reservoirs organize this International Congress on the Conservation and Rehabilitation of Dams as an international forum for the exchange of experiences, research works and information on this subject.

On behalf of the organizers, I am happy to invite you to attend to this Congress, enjoy a pleasant stay in Madrid, and if you still have some spare time, to join us in the Technical Tour to the Main Spanish Hydrographic Basins of the rivers Tajo, Guadiana and Guadalquivir..

D. José Antonio Llanos Blasco
Chairman of the Organising Committee

Water, a natural resource, has long since stopped being a free resource and turned into an economic good, related to the needs which in specific areas can be a restrictive factor for economic growth. An efficient application of this resource, either for alternative use as well as for the allocation of investments in order to guarantee the availability of water, to avoid negative impacts on its quality and on the environment, are the major demands which should be taken into consideration in all the water policies of modern societies.

The water planning provided by dams regulates this resource. Nevertheless, this is always a matter of debate where all points of view are involved, financial, environmental and sociological.

A dam is designed and constructed for its operation in compliance with the regulations in place for conservation, maintenance, inspection and all other requirements.

The operation of dams and reservoirs is a complicated task, which comprises many different aspects as well as varied and multiple circumstances.

The management of water supply, control of floods and droughts and security measures are the main tasks during the average life span of a dam or reservoir, as well as the maintenance and conservation of the infrastructure and facilities. All these aspects have to be interrelated and integrated as a whole.

Any type of construction has a limited life span during which all the functions for which it is designed should operate to complete satisfaction. Once this period is over, and sometimes even before, operating failures, more or less important, may occur and have to be repaired. This may force a revision of the criteria adopted for the original design, and to study structural and non-structural measures which have to take into consideration the environmental, operational and security aspects.

The Spanish Society of Dams and Reservoirs (SEPREM) is a participative and open association for all professionals and entities whose activities are related to dams and reservoirs, with the aim of contributing to make the public conscious of the importance of dams and reservoirs. Therefore, some of SEPREM's main objectives are to consider and debate water resources as a financial source, the importance of hydraulic infrastructure, technology in the design, construction, maintenance and operation, the social and environmental implications, sustainability and compliance with future needs.

In consequence, the Spanish Society of Dams and Reservoirs (SEPREM), in cooperation with the Secretary of State for Water and Coasts, the Directorate General for Hydraulic Works and Water Quality of the Spanish Ministry of Environment, is organizing the "International Congress on Conservation and Rehabilitation of Dams", to be held in Madrid, from November 11 - 13th, 2.002, at the Palacio de Congresos de Madrid, and has the pleasure to invite you to attend.

D. Joaquín Díez-Gascón
President of SEPREM