Table of Contents
What is the water stored behind a dam called?
Impoundment (Pool/Lake/Reservoir) – Water held back by a dam; water on the upstream side of the dam.
How do dams store water?
A reservoir of water is built up behind a hydroelectric dam. The water in the reservoir is at a higher elevation than the water on the other side of the dam and a penstock is used to convert the potential energy of the water into mechanical energy.
What holds up a dam?
Gravity dams are so named because they are held to the ground by gravity – they weigh a lot, and are typically made from concrete or stone. Engineers must de-water the river where the dam is meant to be built. This is done by diverting the river through a tunnel that runs around the intended construction zone.
How does the structure of a dam affect the environment?
The structure of the dam itself acts as a barrier preventing fish populations from migrating along the river. The formation of a large still body of water in place of a small rapidly moving body of water changes the dynamics of the water system, which makes it less suitable for the original species to survive, which may lead to extinction [8].
What is the purpose of a hydroelectric dam?
The purpose of a hydroelectric dam is to provide a place to convert the potential and kinetic energy of water to electrical energy by using a turbine and generator. Dams act as the place where water is held back and released in a controlled manner down to these turbines, providing the location for the energy transformations to occur.
How are dams used to hold water back?
A dam is a structure built across a stream or river to hold water back. Dams can be used to store water, control flooding, and generate electricity.
What kind of materials are used to build dams?
Ancient dam builders used natural materials such as rocks or clay. Modern-day dam builders often use concrete. Manmade dams create artificial lakes called reservoir s. Reservoirs can be used to store water for farming, industry, and household use.