2. Introduction
• A dam can be defined as a structure which are
constructed across rivers to store water.
• They are built mainly to control floods, for
irrigating lands, for generating electricity and
for supplying water to industries and cities.
• A dam that serves more than one purpose is
called multipurpose dam.
3. • However, dams can also have damaging
effects such as environmental degradation,
habitat destruction and displacement of
people, wildlife and aquatic life.
• Hence, proper planning and monitoring are
necessary when constructing dams to ensure
sustainable, equitable and environmentally
responsible utilization of this precious
resource.
4.
5. • The different purposes of dams are as follows:
1. Hydroelectric power generation:
Hydroelectric dams use the force of falling
water to generate electricity. Power plants
located within dams make use of turbines
that are driven by water power to generate
electrical energy.
6.
7. 2. Water supply: Dams are also built to store
water for various purposes, including
domestic, industrial, and agricultural use.
3. Flood control: Dams help in regulating the
flow of water and reducing the risk of floods.
By holding back water, dams can reduce the
downstream flow and prevent or minimize
damage caused by floods.
8.
9. 4. Irrigation: Dams supply water for irrigation,
which helps in increasing crop yields.
12. Components of dam
• A typical dam consists of heel, toe, freeboard,
spillway, galleries, sluice way, abutment.
1. Heel: contact point with the ground on the
upstream side (reservoir side).
2. Toe: contact point with the ground on the
downstream side.
13. 3. Freeboard: The vertical distance between the
reservoir water surface and the top of the
dam.
4. Spillway: a drainage pipe that could discharge
excess water form the reservoir to prevent
overflowing of the dam.
5. Galleries: Rooms constructed for regular
checks and repair operations. They are locate
within the dam.
14. 6. Sluice way: A channel with gates to let
rubbish, excess soil or mud to flow out from
the reservoir. This feature could also reduce
the pressure on the dam. This feature locates
at the ground level of the dam.
7. Abutment: the sides of the hills or valley
where the whole dam structure rest on.
