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What are Dams?

• They are structured across a stream, river or anywhere where water needs to be retained.

• They are usually constructed to provide water for human consumption, to help increasing the water to create hydroelectric energy and many more functions

Characteristics of Dams

• Abutment

  • The side of the valley at which the dam is constructed.
  • An artificial abutment is sometimes created when there is no natural one present

• Base Width

  • It is the width that is measured along the foundation/dam interface

• Top Width

  • It is the the thickness or width of the dam at the top

• Structural Height

  • It is the vertical distance from the lowest point of natural ground on the downstream side of the dam to the highest part of the dam that would impound the water

• Toe

  • It is the junction of the downstream face of a dam with the natural ground surface.

• Heel

  • This is the junction of the upstream face of an arch dam with the foundation surface

• Crest length

  • The measured length from one abutment to another abutment

• Emergency Action Plan

  • It is a predetermined plan to prevent damage to the surrounding properties and the loss of lives if the dam were to break

• Face

  • It is the external surface of the dam that limits the structure

• Flashboards

  • The vertical distance between the water surface and the lowest elevation at which the water would flow over the dam, a section that is not designed to be overflowed

• Foundation

  • The natural material that the dam is placed on

• Gate

  • It is device where a leaf or a member is moved across the waterway from an external position to control or stop the flow

• Spillway

  • A structure over or through the dam at which flood flows are discharged
  • If the flood is controlled by gates it is considered as a controlled spillway
  • If the elevation of the spillway is the only control, it is considered as an uncontrolled spillway’
    • Emergency spillway
      • A secondary spillway that is meant to be used when exceptional flooding occurs

• Low level outlet

  • It is an opening at the lower level of the reservoir. It is generally used to empty the impoundment

Video Explaining Conceptional Facts about Dams

Dam Use Cases

Additional Readings

Types of Dams

History of Dams & Dam Failures

Materials Used in Dams

References

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