Table of Contents
Does dams store water?
A dam can also be used to collect or store water which can be evenly distributed between locations. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees (also known as dikes) are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions.
What is the main purpose of a dam?
A dam is a structure built across a stream or river to hold water back. Dams can be used to store water, control flooding, and generate electricity.
How do dams provide water?
Dams often also provide hydroelectric power production and river navigation. During times of excess water flow, dams store water in the reservoir; then they release water during times of low flow, when natural flows are inadequate to meet water demand.
How does a dam get built?
Engineers must de-water the river where the dam is meant to be built. This is done by diverting the river through a tunnel that runs around the intended construction zone. Tunnels like this may be lined with concrete and are usually dug out using a combination of drilling and explosives.
Do dams destroy rivers?
While dams can benefit society, they also cause considerable harm to rivers. Dams have depleted fisheries, degraded river ecosystems, and altered recreational opportunities on nearly all of our nation’s rivers.