Dams

Topics to be covered:
• Definition of Dams
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Dams
• Classification of Dams
• Types of Dams
What is a Dam?
• A dam is a structure built across a stream, river or estuary to retain
water.
• A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams.
Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide
water for such activities as irrigation, human consumption, industrial
use, aquaculture, and navigability.
• Dams are made from a variety of materials such as rock, steel and
wood.
Structure of dam
Basic Definitions:
• Heel - contact with the ground on the upstream side
• Toe - contact on the downstream side
• Abutment - Sides of the valley on which the structure of the dam rest
• Galleries - Small rooms like structure left within the dam for checking
operations
• Diversion tunnel - Tunnels are constructed for diverting water before
the construction of dam This helps in keeping the river bed dry
• Spillways - It is the arrangement near the top to release the excess
water of the reservoir to downstream side
• Sluice way - An opening in the dam near the ground level, which is
used to clear the silt accumulation in the reservoir side
Advantages of dams:
• Dams gather drinking water for people Water supply
• Dams help farmers bring water to their farms Irrigation
• Dams create power and electricity from water Hydroelectricity
• Dams keep areas from flooding Flood Control
• Dams create lakes for people to swim in Recreation and
and sail on Navigation
Disadvantages of dams:
• Dams detract from natural settings, ruin nature's work
• Dams have inundated the spawning grounds of fish
• Dams have inhibited the seasonal migration of fish
• Dams have endangered some species of fish
• Dams may have inundated the potential for archaeological findings
• Reservoirs can foster diseases if not properly maintained
• Reservoir water can evaporate significantly
• Some researchers believe that reservoirs can cause earthquakes
Classification of Dams:
• Classification based on function
• Storage Dam – gravity dam, earth dam, rock fill
dam, arch dam
• Detention Dam – dike, water spreading dams
• Diversion Dam – weir, barrage
• Coffer Dam
• Debris Dam
Classification of dams:
• Classification based on hydraulic design
• Over-fall Dam/Overflow Dam – spillway dam
• Non-Overflow Dam – gravity dam, earth dam,
debris dam
• Classification based on material of construction
• Rigid Dam – gravity dam, arch dam, buttress dam,
steel dam, timber dam
• Non Rigid Dam – earth dam, rock fill dam
Storage Dams:
• Main function is to impound water to its upstream side during the
periods of excess supply in river i.e. in rainy season.
• This water is then used in periods of deficient supply.
• A reservoir or lake formation behind such a dam is common.
• Storage dams are constructed for various purposes such as irrigation,
water power generation, water supply, recreation.
• Materials used may be stone, concrete, earth or rock fill.
Diversion Dams:
• When a storage dam stores water at its upstream for future use, a
diversion dam simply raises water level slightly in the river and thus
provides head for carrying or diverting water into ditches, canals or
other conveyance system.
• It is of smaller height and no reservoir is formed to store water.
• These may be constructed for irrigation or municipal uses.
Detention Dam:
• These dams are constructed to store water during floods and release
it gradually at a safe rate when flood recedes. This reduces flood
damage downstream.
• There are two types of detention dams.
• First type has been discussed above. In the second type water is held
in the reservoir as long as possible so the water seeps into pervious
banks and foundation strata. This dam is sometime called water
spreading or dike.
• Sometimes detention dams are constructed across tributaries to trap
the sediment and are called debris dam.
Non-overflow dam:

• The top of the dam is kept at a higher elevation than

the maximum expected high flood level.
• Water is not permitted to overtop the dam.
• They are constructed of wide variety of materials such
as earth, rock fill, masonry, concrete etc.
Overflow Dam:
• It is designed to carry surplus discharge (including
floods) over its crest.
• Its crest is kept lower than the top of the other
portion of the dam.
• Since water glides over its downstream face it should
be made of such a material which is not easily eroded
by flowing water.
• They are also known as spillway.
Rigid Dams:
• These are constructed of rigid materials like masonry,
concrete, steel or timber.
• They are further classified as:
• Solid masonry or concrete gravity dam
• Arched masonry or concrete dam
• Concrete buttress dam
• Steel dam
• Timber dam
Non-rigid dam:
• These are constructed of non rigid materials like earth
and/or rock fill. Common types are:
• Earth dam
• Rock fill dam
• Combined earth and rock fill dam