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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

Dam Components

• 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

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Top Overview of the Dam
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Plan/Horizontal View of the Dam	Section A-A as shown in Horizontal ViewImage Removed
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Video Explaining Conceptional Facts about Dams

Dam Use Cases

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HydropowerDams are also used water 

Dams are used for	hydropower or to divert	water
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Additional Readings

Types of Dams

History of Dams & Dam Failures

Materials Used in Dams