The paper investigates the stability of earth dams or reservoirs under drawdown conditions taking into account suction effects, usually neglected in routine analyses. An unsaturated soil profile above the water table is assumed and soil suction values are estimated by an appropriate soil-water characteristic curve. Starting from full and partial submergence levels, stability analyses are performed both for rapid and slow drawdown conditions, by varying non-dimensional suction parameters. Results and practical implications in drawdown procedures are discussed, demonstrating that the negative pore-water pressures can significantly accelerate a safe drawdown process.