9 Uses of Dams

Dam is a constructed barrier that holds back water and raises its level. The important uses of dams have made it a matter of great concern for human civilization.


What are Dams Used for

There are many dams in this civilized world. Although the main function of these dams is to hold water back, they often provide additional useful facilities. Major dam uses are discussed below.

1. Water Supply
  • Water stored in reservoirs of the dam is used to provide adequate amounts of quality freshwater to residential, industrial facilities and mining sites.
  • Dams can be used to regulate the flow of water in rivers. This is to say that water can be released from the reservoir to support wildlife and ecosystems downstream during a drought, and water can be released for agricultural uses during the same drought.

2. Irrigation
  • In many countries, cropland irrigation is done using water stored behind dams.


3. Electrical Generation
  • To generate electricity in hydroelectric power stations
  • Hydropower is considered clean because it does not contribute to global warming, air pollution, acid rain, or ozone depletion.


4. Flood Control
  • For centuries, people have built dams to help control devastating floods. It helps to prevent the loss of life and property. Flood control dams impound floodwaters and then either release them under control to the river below the dam or store or divert the water for other uses.


5. Water Storage
  • Dams create reservoirs that supply water for uses, including industrial, municipal, and agricultural.
  • Water captured during the wet season can be stored for use during the dry season.

6. Mine Tailings
  • It allows the mining and processing of coal and other vital minerals while protecting the environment.

7. Debris Control
  • Dams provide enhanced environmental protection, such as the retention of hazardous materials and detrimental sedimentation.

8. Navigation
  • Dams and locks provide for a stable system of inland river transportation throughout the heartland of the Nation.

9. Recreation
  • Dams provide prime recreational facilities throughout the nation. Boating, skiing, camping, picnic areas, and boat launch facilities are all supported by dams.

Most of the dams are multipurpose. Almost all dams have at least some flood mitigation effect in addition to their primary purpose. Flood control dams may have some of their storage capacity kept empty to store excess water inflow under flood conditions.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

NOTCHES AND WEIRs

Image
   NOTCH ,WEIR AND ITS TYPES Notch A  notch  may be defined as an obstruction over which the flow of liquid occurs   In case of measuring tank or reservoir, the opening is provided at the side of the tank such that the liquid surface in the tank is below the top edge of the opening. Weir A  weir  is a notch on a large scale used for measuring the flow of a river, canal etc. It is a concrete or masonry structure of substantial breadth built across the river in the direction of flow. This allows the excess water to flow over its entire length to the downstream side. Thus a weir is similar to a small dam constructed across the river, with a difference that the excess water flows downstream only through a small portion called  spillway  and in case of weir, the excess water flows over its entire length. Nappe and crest The sheet of water flowing through a notch or over a weir is known as  nappe  or  vein . The bott...
Read more

THE BASICS OF REBAR: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS

Image
 THE BASICS OF REBAR: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS The Basics of Rebar If you have ever wondered what gives strength and stability to the concrete structures that we see around us, the answer is (most commonly) rebar. Rebar, short for reinforcing bar, is the steel rods that are embedded in concrete that provide tensile strength to what is actually and prevent cracking. Rebar comes in different shapes and sizes, but the most common type is deformed steel rebar, which has ridges or indentations along its surface to create a better bond with the concrete. Deformed steel rebar has been used in the construction industry for over a century, and it has revolutionised the way we build. With rebar, and using elements such as beams,  beam ties , rebar mesh, and reinforced walls, we can create taller, stronger, and more durable structures that can withstand natural disasters, environmental changes, and human activities. Some of the most iconic buildings in the world, such as...
Read more

What are different diameters of steel used in construction field?

         In the construction industry, the appropriate selection of materials is crucial as they form            the fundamental basis for determining the strength and durability of structures. TMT (Thermo-Mechanically Treated) Steel is one of the essential components in construction as it stands out for its exceptional strength and ductility in building structures. Thus, contributing to the prolonged longevity and durability of the structures. In this article, we will delve into the different sizes of  TMT steel bars  and their different uses in the construction industry. These TMT Steel bars come in different sizes based on their varied diameters. The different diameter of steel bars are as follows: 8mm Steel Rod 10mm Steel Rod 12mm Steel Rod 16mm Steel Rod 20mm Steel Rod 25mm Steel Rod 32mm Steel Rod, etc TMT bars of varied sizes, play a pivotal role in diverse infrastructure initiatives, the versatility of TMT bars is ...
Read more