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Dam

A dam is a large wall or barrier that blocks or stops the flow of water, forming a reservoir or a lake.[1] Most dams have a section called a spillway or weir over which, or through which, water flows, either sometimes or always. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water. The tallest dam in the world is the 300 meter high Nurek Dam in Tajikistan. Fish ladders are usually added to dams to allow fish to cross over.[2]

History

Some of the first dams were built in Mesopotamia up to 7,000 years ago. Modern dams are built with arched walls of steel rod-reinforced concrete. The arched wall is a very strong shape which helps the wall to withstand the huge weight of the water.

Reasons for building dams

There are a number of reasons that people build dams. Some countries build dams to control the flow of water in the downstream river systems, and prevent flooding. Other countries build dams to generate electricity using hydroelectric turbine generators. Other countries use dams to store water for use in irrigation (for farming) or drinking by people. However, mis-management of dams could cause flooding.[3]

Dam Media

  • Usoi Dam is a rockslide dam formed in 1911 by an earthquake.[4]

  • Beavers build beaver dams by dragging tree branches into streams.[5]

  • Single-purpose large[a] dams in 2025, categorized by purpose.[6][b]

  • A cluster of tailings dams in England

  • The rusty steel panels are a temporary cofferdam which is keeping the worksite dry while a concrete bridge pier is being built in a river.[7]

  • Weir at the Zadorra river between Abetxuko and Gamarra. Vitoria-Gasteiz, Basque Country, Spain

  • The Great Dam of Marib in Yemen was built around 500 BCE.[8]

  • The Band-e Kaisar dam in Iran was built in the 3rd century CE.[9]

  • The Kurit Dam was built around 1350 CE.[10]

Notes

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  1. ↑ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
  2. ↑ Doeden, Matt. Finding Out about Hydropower. wilkinson.marmot.org. Retrieved 2025-04-03.
  3. ↑ Cities Severe Flooding, Many Dams BurstChina Observer. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  4. ↑ Evans 2011, pp. 93, 506.
  5. ↑ Baker 2003, pp. 294–298.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "World Register of Dams", ICOLD.
  7. ↑ "I-205 Abernethy Bridge". Oregon Department of Transportation.
  8. ↑ Schnitter 1994, pp. 24–27.
  9. ↑ Schnitter 1994, p. 76.
  10. ↑ Schnitter 1994, p. 90.


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