There are many different types of water storage structures, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Two of the most common types are dams and reservoirs. This blog post will compare and contrast these two types of water storage structures.
What is Dam?
Dam is a word that can be used in a variety of ways. It can be used as a noun to describe a barrier that is built across a river to control the flow of water, or it can be used as a verb to mean “to block or obstruct something.” Dam is also a term that is used in engineering, specifically referring to a structure that is built to hold back water.
- Dams are designed to help regulate the flow of water in rivers and streams, and they can also be used to generate hydroelectric power. In addition, dams can provide flood control and irrigation for crops.
- There are many different types of dams, and they vary in size and purpose. The largest dam in the world is the Three Gorges Dam in China, which impounds the Yangtze River.
- The dam is more than 2 miles long and has a capacity of nearly 22 million cubic feet of water. The Three Gorges Dam is one of the most controversial engineering projects in history, and it has had a significant impact on the environment and economy of China.
What is Reservoir?
Reservoirs are man-made bodies of water that are used to store water for irrigation, drinking water, industrial use, or for release into the environment. Reservoirs can be created by dams placed across rivers or by excavating pits in the ground. The water in a reservoir is typically held in place by the surrounding land, which prevents it from flowing away. When water is needed from the reservoir, it is typically released through gates or valves. Reservoirs play an important role in managing water resources, and they are often used in conjunction with other water management tools such as aquifers and canals.
Differences between Dam and Reservoir
Dam and reservoirs are both water storage facilities that have several benefits. They both help with irrigation, flood control, and hydropower production. Dam are built across rivers to obstruct the flow of water and raise the water level upstream while reservoirs are created by excavating earth to store water.
Dam are usually made of concrete or rocks while reservoirs can be made of any material that can retain water. The main difference between a dam and a reservoir is that dams are built to impound water for a specific purpose while reservoirs are built to store water for future use. Dams are also used to create artificial lakes while reservoirs can be used to store groundwater.
Conclusion
Dam and reservoir are both important pieces of infrastructure, but they serve different purposes. A dam is used to store water for release later on, while a reservoir is used to regulate the flow of water into a river or other body of water. It’s important to know the difference between these two structures so that you can make informed decisions about your water usage.
