Board of Directors
CDA is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. There is representation on the Board from most of the Provinces and Territories, and two Directors at Large, one of whom provides the Association's link with the International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD).
Most members of the Board are elected for nominal two-year terms. The Vice President is elected for a three-year term: one year as Vice President, one as President and one as Past President. The Secretary-Treasurer, Directors and Directors-at-Large may serve up to two consecutive two-year terms. Elections are held by membership-wide ballot and confirmed by a vote at the Annual General Meeting.
The Board of Directors has the authority to appoint up to two more Director at Large to provide assistance in its oversight responsibilities for some specific governance or operational area. The appointed Directors at Large serve until the next Annual General Meeting.
Management
The Association's operations are managed by the Executive Director, who reports to the Board of Directors, and are implemented by paid staff.