A check dam is a small dam, which can be either temporary or permanent, built across a minor channel, swale, bioswale,

or drainage ditch. Similar to drop structures in purpose, they reduce erosion and gullying in the channel and allow sediments and pollutants to settle. They also lower the speed of water flow during storm events. Check dams can be built with logs, stone, or sandbags. Of these, the former two are usually permanent or semi-permanent; and the sandbag check dam is usually for temporary purposes. Also, there are check dams that are constructed with rockfill or wooden boards. These dams are usually used only in small, open channels that drain 10 acres (0.040 km2) or less; and usually do not exceed 2 feet (0.61 m) high.[1] They are also called Jack Dams.[citation needed] Many check dams tend to form stream pools. Under low-flow circumstances, water either infiltrates into the ground, evaporates, or seeps through or under the dam. Under high flow (flood) conditions, water flows over or through the structure. Coarse and medium-grained sediment from runoff tends to be deposited behind check dams, while finer grains are usually allowed through. Extra nutrients, phosphorus, nitrogen, heavy metals, and floating garbage are also trapped or eliminated by the presence of check dams, increasing their effectiveness as water quality control measures. In nearly all instances, erosion control blankets, which are biodegradable open-weave blankets, are used in conjunction with check dams. These blankets help enforce vegetation growth on the slopes, shorelines and ditch bottoms.[2] Check dams range in size, shape and cost. It is possible to build them out of easily available materials. It is even possible to build some of these dams at a very little cost. The most important decision to be taken when building such a dam is its location. This decision is crucial, as the effectiveness of the dam depends on this. Advantages of Check Dams The advantages of check dams are that they store surface water for use both during and after the monsoon. They help in ground water recharge of the area. Recharge of water helps in raising the water table in the area. Avaiability of water ensures the icrease of agricultural yield by multi-cropping. Check dams can also be used for pisciculture. The cost of building a check dam for irrigation of one hectare of land can vary between Rs 5000 to 8000. A large dam or canal network would cost over Rs 2 lakhs for the same purpose. Before building a check dam. The following points have to be kept in mind regarding site selection: Check dams can be of various sizes and built with a variety of materials including stone, clay and cement. Individual farmers can build small check dams of clay. Masonry and cement concrete structures require some degree of construction skills and high investment. The structure should be able to store a high volume of rain-water over a long duration of time. It should provide a long length of stored water. There should be a high percentage of cropped area on either side of the length of stored water. Minimises risk of submergence of cropped lands during flash floods. It should have a high costbenefit ratio.