Abstract: Dam safety evaluation systems for reservoirs and hydropower stations currently differ in their approaches. To identify shortcomings in the dam safety appraisal of reservoirs and learn from the experience of periodic dam safety inspection at hydropower stations, a comparative analysis of the dam safety evaluation systems for reservoirs and hydropower stations was conducted. The analysis focused on two main aspects: organizational systems and technical systems. The organizational systems for dam safety evaluation in reservoirs and hydropower stations exhibit significant differences, but they align with the actual situation and the respective characteristics of dams in the water conservancy and energy sectors. The technical systems of both systems are based on site inspections and analysis of monitoring data. Safety evaluations are conducted separately for different types of hidden dangers and project sections. To improve the safety appraisal of reservoir dams, it is recommended to revise the "Measures for Safety Appraisal of Reservoir Dams", standardize dam safety monitoring practices, and enhance technical specifications for dam safety evaluation.