Abstract: Since the disaster of 125 deaths caused by the failure of Buffalo Creek Dam in West Virginia, U.S. in 1972, there have been 724 known dam failures, including 380 in the last five years (1998 statistics). At this rate, another 50 dams may fail each year at an average annual cost to the nation of 525 million according to the National Performance of Dam Program, Standford, California. The program was developed largely based on lessons from tremendous losses associated with dam failures. This paper narrates for your reference a few programmatic elements that have been adopted for the practice of the program. A Chinese proverb says, “viewing another’s good quality is a means whereby one can remedy one’s own defects.” In lieu of learning the “hard way” from the US’s experience, Spirit of an old Chinese expression of “taking the precaution after suffering a loss is never too late” is reflected in the aforementioned reformed Model State Dam Safety Program. As a common vision, therefore, dam safety regulatory oversight must be considered as a professional practice to prevent the hazards of unsafe dams by taking protective measures in advance and timely remedial actions as needed for the public safety. It is a basic understanding that preventive approaches taken initially in a proactive mode and remedial measures taken typically in a reactive mode can reasonably ensure the safety and welfare of the public.