Dams

Hey Kids! My name is Bucky Beaver, and I want to tell you all about my favorite subject, DAMS! Although the dams I build are for my protection and are small, I know a lot about human dams! Dams helpcontrol water, our most important resource. Water is important because plants, animals and humans need to drink it to stay alive. We also use it to cook, clean and bathe. We also use water to have fun. What fun would a swimming pool be without water? It is important that we have just the right amount of water. Having too much water will cause a flood. Havingtoo littlewill cause a drought. We need a way to have just the right amount. Building a dam can help control the flow of water and the amount of water that we have available! Do You Have Questions About Dams? • • • • • • Dams are structures that hold back water, or other liquid material! Dams are built on rivers so that the water in the river can be controlled. When a dam is built, it creates a reservoir of water, also called man-made lakes. Dams help us store water when we need it and help prevent droughts and floods. When too much water is in a reservoir, it can be released safety through gates. They can be built from many different materials, including earth, rock, tailings from mining or milling, concrete, masonry, steel, timber, miscellaneous materials (such as plastic or rubber) and any combination of these materials. The material that is used depends on how the dam is going to be used. Some dams are used for water supp...

There are many jaw-dropping structuralfeats around the world, each with its own interesting But the one type of structure that always leaves us in great awe is Their sheer dimension and immense capacity tend to have a humbling effect on anyone who comes across these structures. It often feels a bit like standing in front of a calm, reassuring giant staring at you in all its glory. And it goes without saying, dams are some of the most intricately designed structures in the world. What is a dam? A dam, as defined by the British Dam Society is: "Abarrier or structure across a stream, river, or waterway to confine and then control the flow of water. Dams vary in size from small earth embankments, often for farm use, to high massive concrete structures generally used for water supply, hydropower, and irrigation." The Jinping-1 dam is the tallest in the world. Source: David/Wikimedia Commons Such structures are essential and crucial for providing energy and water management to many communities around the world. Dams are usually built across or near naturally flowing water, in order to manage water resources for human needs. What are some record-breaking dams? Dams are amazing structures in and of themselves. But some among them stand out as truly outstanding works of engineering. For example, the highest dam in the world, as recognized by 1,000 feet (305 mt) tall — taller than the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The smallest dam in the world, according to some sources, is the 97 feet (29...

World's largest dams By height name type 1 date of completion river country height (metres) 1Key: A, arch; B, buttress; E, earth fill; G, gravity; M, multi-arch; R, rock fill. 2Vaiont Dam was the scene of a massive landslide and flood in 1963 and no longer operates. 3Diversion tunnels closed and reservoir filling begun December 2002. 4Impounds settling reservoir for fine tailings in oil sands operation near Fort McMurray, Alberta. 5Most of this reservoir is a natural lake. Source: International Water Power and Dam Construction Yearbook (1996). Nurek E 1980 Vakhsh Tajikistan 300 Grande Dixence G 1961 Dixence Switzerland 285 Inguri A 1980 Inguri Georgia 272 Vaiont 2 A 1961 Vaiont Italy 262 Chicoasen ER 1980 Grijalva Mexico 261 Tehri ER 2002 3 Bhagirathi India 261 Mauvoisin A 1957 Drance de Bagnes Switzerland 250 Guavio ER 1989 Guavio Colombia 246 Sayano-Shushenskoye AG 1989 Yenisey Russia 245 Mica ER 1973 Columbia Canada 242 Ertan A 1999 Yalong (Ya-lung) China 240 Chivor ER 1957 Batá Colombia 237 By volume name type 1 date of completion river country volume (000 cubic metres) Syncrude Tailings E N/A 4 Canada 750,000 New Cornelia Tailings E 1973 Ten Mile Wash U.S. 209,500 Tarbela ER 1977 Indus Pakistan 106,000 Fort Peck E 1937 Missouri U.S. 96,050 Lower Usuma E 1990 Usuma Nigeria 93,000 Tucurui EGR 1984 Tocantins Brazil 85,200 Ataturk ER 1990 Euphrates Turkey 84,500 Guri (Raúl Leoni) EGR 1986 Caroní Venezuela 77,971 Oahe E 1958 Missouri U.S. 66,517 Gardiner E 1968 Saskatchewa...