Dam builders are sometimes reluctant to seek expert advice, because they fear that higher costs will be involved. But investigation and design usually represent only 5 to 10 percent of the total cost. A small additional outlay at design stage is a form of insurance against failure. Furthermore, a well-designed plan sometimes introduces cost-saving features. The guidance given in Small Earth Dams will result in improved standards of small dam construction and fewer costly failures. K D Nelson has many years experience in the design and construction of dams. He is an independent consultant on water-related issues, having worked for over 30 years with the Victiorian Water Commission. He has consulted on country water supply, river improvement and dam projects in both Australia and the UK.