Dams

According to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, dams can serve several different purposes, such as storing water for human consumption, regulating the flow of a river, producing energy and more. Resources available in this sub-theme include guidelines for dam construction, technical evaluations of dams, and reports on the potential benefits and drawbacks of constructing dams in certain regions.

Dams Resources

Morey's Dam Restoration Project

Publication date:
January 1, 2008
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
This project includes a design for the rehabilitation of a small dam and incorporated fish passage. It also investigates this design processes and elements that must come together for the design of a small dam with a fish passage channel. Requiring analysis in the disciplines of hydraulics,...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Constructing Small Dams

Publication date:
January 1, 1982
U.S. Agency for International Development
This technical note discusses the construction of small earth dams and outlines the construction steps to follow. The construction of small earth dams and water impoundments requires great care and skill. Poorly constructed dams are dangerous because they may break and cause flooding. A dam...Read more

Public Health Assessment of Proposed Dams, Water-Related Diseases and Community Water Supplies

Publication date:
March 1, 1981
U.S. Agency for International Development
The construction of 12 improved dams with reinforced release control structures has been proposed to improve the water supply in Mauritania's Brakna/Gorgol region. This report assesses the possible impacts of the dams on water-related disease incidence due to standing water, and makes...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Mauritania
Sub-Saharan Africa

Erosion At Santo Tomas River Diversion Dam site and Sediment Problems At Diversion Structures in the Philippines

Publication date:
May 1, 1975
U.S. Agency for International Development
U.S. Department of the Interior
This report documents the evaluation and analysis of the Agno River and Santo Tomas River in the Philippines and addresses issues with sedimentation, erosion, and dam site diversion. The report also presents the results of water surface profiles that were computed by electronic computer by the...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Philippines
East Asia and Pacific

Irrigation Requirements and Water Balance, Arenal Proposed Project, Costa Rica

Publication date:
June 1, 1972
U.S. Agency for International Development
ICE has completed a preliminary study for the construction of a dam and reservoir on the Rio Arenal. The principal purpose is the production of electrical energy. Construction of this power facility will make available an adequate supply of irrigation for a large area of agricultural lands in...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Costa Rica
Latin America and the Caribbean

Use of Roman-Type Cisterns and Small Dams for Rain Water Storage in the Highlands of the Base Valley of the Medjerda

Publication date:
December 1, 1963
U.S. Agency for International Development
The relentless drive to complete the development quickly demands that daily-hundreds of decisions, both big and small, must be made on a vast variety of subjects. It is the purpose of this report to suggest for your consideration a conservation practice which you may find has application to the...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
Tunisia
Middle East and North Africa

Tennessee Valley Authority Act (1933)

Publication date:
May 18, 1933
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Act of 1933 established the Tennessee Valley Authority to oversee the construction of dams to control flooding, improve navigation and create cheap electric power in the Tennessee Valley basin. It serves to improve the navigability and to provide for the flood...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Dam Safety Best Practices and Risk Methodology

Publication date:
December 1, 2012
U.S. Department of the Interior | Bureau of Reclamation
The Bureau of Reclamation has been using risk analysis as the primary support for dam safety decision-making for about 15 years, and has developed procedures to analyze risks for a multitude of potential failure modes. Manuals, guidelines, standards, and practical reference material on how to...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States

Lake Koocanusa Water Quality

Publication date:
July 22, 2021
Lake Koocanusa is a transboundary reservoir located in southeastern British Columbia and northwestern Montana. The reservoir was officially impounded in 1972 after construction of Libby Dam, which began in 1966. The dam was constructed as part of a treaty between the United States and Canada to...Read more
Regional/Country focus:
United States
Canada

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