1. PROPER SELECTION CRITERIA OF DAM SITE
NAME:SOURAV BOSE
STREAM:DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING
Year:4th
2. Definition
• DAM- 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.
Hydropower is often used in conjunction with dams to
generate electricity.
• CATCHMENT- The collection of rain water over a natural
drainage area during rainfall.
• RESERVOIR- A reservoir usually means an enlarged natural or
artificial lake, storage pond or impoundment created using a
dam or lock to store water.
3. Reason for dam/catchment construction
• Flood control.
• Agricultural purposes.
• Hydro-electricity.
• Water reservation.
Recently lakhs were affected by severe droughts in Maharashtra.
Due to failure of good monsoon and excessive heat drying up the
rivers resulted in crop failure and subsequently leading to farmer
suicides.
Maharashtra may require more catchment areas which can supply
water in extreme weather or can give relief to affected areas
rather than depending on fresh rains.
4. Dam site requirement criteria
• Area having gentle slope rather than steep slope (slope
stability).
• Area receiving adequate rainfall.
• Area away from settlement and agricultural fields.
• Permeability of soil or type of soil.
• Water table.
• Effects on forest and wildlife.
• Earthquake faults.
• Stream flow/Watershed.
5. Dam site requirement criteria
• Suitable foundation must be available.
• For economy, the length of the dam should be as small as
possible and for given height it should store maximum
amount of water.
• A suitable site for the spillway should be available in or
nearby vicinity.
• The bed level at the dam site should preferably be higher
than that of the river basin. This will reduce the height of the
dam and will facilitate the drainage problem.
• The reservoir basin should be reasonably water-tight.
6. Dam site requirement criteria
• Material required for the construction of the dam should be
easily available locally.
• The value of the land and property submerged by the
proposed dam should be as low as possible.
• The dam site should be easily accessible, such that it can be
economically connected to important towns.
• Site for establishing labour colonies and healthy environment
should be available near by vicinity.
