China has stepped up on a new stage of high-quality development in the national water network. As a key node in this network system

earth-rock dams have started an iterative upgrading trend toward an intelligent structure in the water conservancy industry. However

a variety of crucial problems exist in this development stage

such as incomplete theories

scattered technical systems

and lack of evaluation standards. This paper presents a comprehensive study focusing on four aspects－definition and connotation

technical system

evaluation standard

and application cases. First

we clarify the four major functional connotations for an intelligent earth-rock dam－appropriate sensing

realistic analysis

intelligent decision-making

and automatic control. Then

we define the technical composition of an intelligent earth-rock dam

and demonstrate key technologies and how to implement them－digital and intelligent infrastructure

fusion-intelligence model

intelligent decision model

and automatic control system. On this basis

we suggest a grade evaluating standard of four categories and twelve grades for the intelligence degrees of earth-rock dams. Finally

we apply this standard to typical pilot projects－two intelligent earth-rock dams

i.e. the Qingshan reservoir and the Tankeng hydropower station. This verifies the applicability of the standard and the technical system

which would guide and promote the design and construction of intelligent earth-rock dams.