The purpose of online dam safety monitoring of hydropower stations is to dynamically evalu⁃ ate the dam safety status in real time

which can provide technical support for preventing dam break

overtopping and major structure damage. The online dam safety monitoring system should be practical

effective and useful. It is necessary to develop and approve a practical and effective monitoring plan be⁃ fore system development. Based on the statistics and analysis of the causes of dam failures in the dam en⁃ gineering history worldwide

this paper explains the risk identification and monitoring elements of dam operation safety

and proposes suggestions for the content

items and information organization of online monitoring

to provide reference in the development of online monitoring plan.