DAMS AND

RESERVOIRS

Digley Reservoir, Holmbridge

Factors which affect the location of

dams
Areas of high rainfall so the dam is filled naturally.
Sources of local stone, earth or concrete so that transport
costs are not too high.
A high local water table so that water does not leak away.
Based on impermeable rocks so that water does not leak
out.
Concrete or rock dams need firm foundations so that they
can be safely anchored.
Rocks should dip upstream not downstream so that the
dam does not slide down the valley.
An area which is not earthquake prone, otherwise the dam
could be damaged.
There should be no faults or major joints so that water
does not leak out.
Local rocks do not contain heavy mineral veins, like lead
or zinc which would pollute the water.

Draw a diagram to show the

perfect site for a dam and
reservoir.
Area of high
Impermeable rocks
rainfall

Dip of
rocks
Quarry to
provide rock
in large
amounts

underlying reservoir
No faults
or major
joints
reservo
ir
dam

Strong rock
foundations
for dam
supports

There are four main types

of dams:
Embankment dams
Arch dams
Gravity dams
Buttress dams

Embankment dams
Butterley dam
and reservoir,
Marsden

This dam has a by-pass

channel to prevent
overtopping of the dam
by water.

Diagram of an embankment
dam.
Explain each feature of this
dam.

Diagram from Geology and Environment in Britain and Ireland by Nigel Wood

Draw a diagram of an
embankment dam.
Add a title

water
core
Rock or
earth fill

Rock or
earth fill

Cut-off

Plan and
cross
section of
Digley Dam,
1947,
Holmbridge

overflow
reservoir

road

water
Impermeable clay

Stony
earth
fill to
add
weight

Earth embankment at Digley,

Holmbridge
reservoir

Road on top of
dam
Earth fill

Digley Dam, Holmbridge

High
water
level
Stone armour to protect
dam from erosion by
waves

Rip rap is a layer of large rocks which cannot be moved

by waves. Rip rap protects the earth dam from erosion.

Overflow on Digley Dam

This maintains the reservoir level at its
maximum height and prevents it
overflowing.

Back of Winscar Dam, Dunford

Bridge.
This dam started to leak in 2000 and was
emptied so that it could be repaired.
It was covered by an impermeable
membrane to prevent water leaking through
cracks in the concrete.

Arch
dams
Strong rock
abutments in
a narrow
valley

Hoover Dam,
R. Colorado,
U.S.A

Diagram of an arch dam

Explain each feature of this dam.
The dam will be
very firmly
anchored to the
walls at each side
of the valley.

Draw a diagram of an arch

dam.
Dam will need
firm anchorages
at both sides.

reservoir

Curved shape to
brace against
weight of water.
Add a
title

Gravity dams
Gravity dams are kept in place by virtue of their
weight with braces them against the weight of
water behind.

Three Gorges Dam,

China

Diagram of a gravity dam

Draw a diagram of a gravity

dam.
Weight to keep
dam stable
Reservoir

Made of strong rock

or concrete
Wide base for
stability
Add a title

Buttress dams
Buttress dams are similar to gravity dams, but
the buttresses at the front of the dam take the
weight of the water.

Glen Errochty, Scotland.

Diagram of a buttress
dam.

Draw a diagram of a buttress

dam.
Strong
rock
sides
reservoi
r
Internal fill of
impermeable
material
Add a

Buttress braces
dam against
the weight of
the water

What
Whattype
typeofofdam
damisisthis?
this?
An embankment dam

Butterley Dam, Marsden

What type of dam is this?

A buttress dam

Chief Joseph Dam, Washington State,

What type of dam is this?

A gravity dam

Grand Coulee Dam, Washington State,

What type of dam is this?

Arch
Dam

Kariba Dam, River Zambezi, between Zimbabwe and

Zambia

What type of dam is this?

Buttress/gravity dam

Hume Dam, River Murray,

Australia

THE END