The 7 Families of DamsDiscover the cards

Rules of the game

The 7 Families of Dams is a card game in the spirit of “Happy Families” (known as “Quartett” in German): you ask the other players for cards to complete whole families. It is similar, but a little different: each family has 6 cards instead of 4, there is a draw pile as in “Go Fish”, and every card teaches you something about dams. About Happy Families (Wikipedia)

You collect cards to form complete families, and you learn about dams along the way. The printed game is currently available in French only; this page is a translation of its rules.

Note: the illustrations printed on the cards are in French; this website translates the texts, the fact sheets and the audio.

  • Age4 and up
  • Players2 to 4
  • Time15 to 20 min

Contents

  • 42 cards split into 7 families of 6 cards
  • 1 rules card and 1 information card
  • 1 card presenting the authors of the game

Goal of the game

The goal of the game is to collect as many complete families as possible before the end of the game.

How to play

Shuffle the cards and deal 7 to each player; the rest is placed face down on the table and forms the draw pile. The player to the left of the dealer starts by asking any player of their choice for a card to complete a family (for example: “In the JOBS family, I would like the Owner card.”). To ask for a card, the player must already hold at least one card of that family.

If the other player has that card, they must hand it over; otherwise, the asker must draw from the pile. If the drawn card is the right one, the asker says “good draw” and keeps going until they can no longer get the card they want, either from another player or from the pile: then their turn ends.

It is then the turn of the player on the left to ask for the cards they want. When a player holds a complete family (all 6 cards), they lay it face up in front of them, and the game goes on until there are no more families left to complete.

End of the game

If the draw pile is empty, the game goes on until all the families have been collected. The winner is the player who has gathered the most families in front of them at the end of the game.

The 42 cards

Each of the 7 families has 6 cards. Every card has its own fact sheet.

Jobs

  1. 1. Owner
  2. 2. Designer
  3. 3. Builder
  4. 4. Safety expert
  5. 5. Hydrologist
  6. 6. Geologist

Uses

  1. 1. Drinking water
  2. 2. Hydroelectricity
  3. 3. Irrigation
  4. 4. Flow regulation
  5. 5. Transport
  6. 6. Tourism

Components

  1. 1. Dam body
  2. 2. Spillway
  3. 3. Foundation
  4. 4. Water intake
  5. 5. Sensors
  6. 6. River

Types of structures

  1. 1. Embankment dam
  2. 2. Gravity dam
  3. 3. Arch dam
  4. 4. Canals
  5. 5. Flood protection levee
  6. 6. Pumped-storage station (PSH)

Around the world

  1. 1. Itaipu Dam
  2. 2. Suez Canal
  3. 3. Grande Dixence Dam
  4. 4. Kariba Dam
  5. 5. Three Gorges Dam
  6. 6. Hoover Dam

In France

  1. 1. Serre-Ponçon Dam
  2. 2. Migouélou Dam
  3. 3. Rance Tidal Power Station
  4. 4. Grand Canal d'Alsace
  5. 5. Loire Levees
  6. 6. Takamaka Dam

Through time

  1. 1. Pont du Gard
  2. 2. Canal du Midi
  3. 3. Zola Dam
  4. 4. Dardennes Dam
  5. 5. Rizzanese Dam
  6. 6. Seine-Nord Europe Canal

Going further

Curious to learn more? Explore the resources offered to discover additional information about each member of our seven families.

What are the different types of structures and their main parts? Who builds and runs them? What are they used for? Scan the QR code on the “Additional information” card to deepen your knowledge of the world of dams and other hydraulic structures.

QR code to the game page on the CFBR websiteGame resources on the CFBR website

Get a copy

The game is sold at cost price and was only distributed in small quantities. It is currently published in French only. Contact the CFBR to find out where and how to get a copy.

Contact the CFBR

The CFBR

Founded in 1926, the French Committee on Large Dams (CFBR) is an association of about 580 active members, chosen for their expertise in the field of dams and hydraulic structures. In 1928, it helped create the International Commission on Large Dams, to which it is affiliated.

In 2026, the CFBR celebrates 100 years of expertise and shared passion! For the occasion, the Committee decided to create this game of 7 families as a tribute to this collective history, marked by great technical achievements, decisive scientific advances and close collaboration between professionals of the sector.

Missions

The CFBR has set itself the mission of promoting progress in the design, construction, maintenance and operation of dams and hydraulic structures. It encourages the exchange of information, organizes a Technical Colloquium every year and runs working groups in charge of drawing up recommendations.

CFBR website

Authors of the game

  • CODOR of the CFBR
  • Franck Sfiligoï Taillandier : A researcher at INRAE specialized in civil engineering and risk management, he develops tools to raise awareness about protecting ecosystems.
  • Hello bim bam boum : A graphic design studio specialized in science communication and educational games, founded by Coline Mestas and Marine Monseux. Instagram