Resumen: The present paper examines the use of optical fiber as a distributed temperature sensor to detect leaks in earth dams. This real-time data acquisition technique complements current auscultation systems and improves monitoring of these critical infrastructures. The aim of this paper is to provide a practical illustration of this novel and promising technique and, particularly, of the precautions to consider to correctly deploy the sensor elements. For this last purpose, this document describes the field tests carried out on the Yesa dam in February 2017 and propose best practices concerning the implementation of the system. Idioma: Inglés DOI: 10.6036/10418 Año: 2023 Publicado en: Dyna (Bilbao) 98, 2 (2023), 163-168 ISSN: 0012-7361 Factor impacto JCR: 0.8 (2023) Categ. JCR: ENGINEERING, MULTIDISCIPLINARY rank: 121 / 179 = 0.676 (2023) - Q3 - T3 Factor impacto CITESCORE: 1.0 - Engineering (all) (Q4)