Dams

DAMS:

A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. 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. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are often used in conjunction with dams to generate electricity. A dam can also be used to collect water or for storage of water which can be evenly distributed between locations.

TYPES OF DAMS

Arch dams:

An arch dam is a type of dam that is curved and commonly built with concrete. The arch dam is a structure that is designed to curve upstream so that the force of the water against it, known as hydrostatic pressure, presses against the arch, compressing and strengthening the structure as it pushes into its foundation or abutments.

These masonry or concrete dams are ideal for narrow and/or rocky locations because their curved shape easily holds back water via gravity without the need for a lot of construction materials.

Embankment Dams:

An embankment dam is a massive artificial water barrier. It is typically created by the emplacement and compaction of a complex semi-plastic mound of various compositions of soil, sand, clay and/or rock. It has a semi-permanent waterproof natural covering for its surface, and a dense, waterproof core.

These are large dams made out of soil and rock which use their weight to hold back water. To prevent water from moving through them, embankment dams also have a thick waterproof core. Embankment dams have a triangular-shaped profile.

Gravity Dams:

Is a dam with the characteristics of both an arch dam and a gravity dam. It is a dam that curves upstream in a narrowing curve that directs most of the water against the canyon rock walls, providing the force to compress the dam. It combines the strengths of two common dam forms and is considered a compromise between the two. They are generally made of reinforced concrete which provides more strength compared to normal concrete, consist of thick, vertical walls of concrete built across relatively narrow river valleys with firm bedrock. Their weight alone is great enough to resist overturning or sliding tendencies. these are difficult and expensive to build.

Buttress dam:

These can have multiple arches, but unlike a traditional arch dam, they can be flat as well.  These dams are essentially hollow constructed of steel-reinforced concrete or timber.

Function Dams:

·       Power Generation

·       Water supply

·       Stabilize water flow/ irrigation

·       Flood prevention

·       Land reclamation

·       Water diversion

·       Navigation

·       Recreation and aquatic beauty

Reservoirs: A reservoir is a man-made lake that is primarily used for storing water. They can also be defined as the specific bodies of water formed by the construction of a dam.

The biggest dams in the world

·       Three Gorges 18,460 MW, China.

·       Itaipu 14,750 MW, Brazil/Paraguay.

Colombian’s Dams

·       Chivor´s Dam.(Boyacá)

·       Jaguas’ Dam. (Antioquia)

·       Betania’s Dam. (Huila)