DAM: A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of water streams.

reservoirs created
by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation,
human consumption, industrial use, aquaculture, and navigability. Hydropower is often used
in conjunction with dams to generate electricity.
Axis of the dam: The axis of a gravity dam is the line of the upstream edge of the top or
crown of the dam. 
Length of the dam: The length of the dam is the distance from one abutment to the other
measured along the axis of the dam at the level of the top of the dam. In general it is the
distance between the two abutments
Structural height of the dam: The structural height of the dam is the difference in elevations
from the top of the dam and the lowest point in the excavated foundation.
Hydraulic height of the dam: The hydraulic height of the darn is equal to the difference in
elevations of the controlled water surface in the reservoir and the lowest point in the river 
Heel and toe: The toe of the dam is its downstream edge of the base, while heel is the
upstream edge. 
Base of width of the dam: It is the horizontal distance between the toe and heel of the dam,
in the middle of the Valley.
Freeboard : The vertical distance between the top of the dam and the full supply level on the
reservoir.
Shafts: Vertical openings in the dam are called shafts. Shafts are provided to connect
galleries a various levels. Plumber shaft is provided to measure the deflections of dam by
suspending a plumb bob in it.
Gallery: gallery is a formed opening left in a dam. This may run in transverse or longitudinal
direction and may run horizontally or on a slope. The shape and size varies from dam to dam
and is generally governed by the functions it has to perform. Following are the purposes for
which a gallery is formed in the dams.
1. To provide drainage' of the dam section. Some amount of water constantly seeps through
the upstream face of the dam which is drained off through galleries.
2. To provide facilities for drilling and grouting operations for foundations etc. Drillings for
drain is generally resorted to clean them if they are clogged. High pressure grouting and
required drilling for it is generally carried out after the completion of dam. This can be best
done through galleries.
3. To provide space for header and return pipes for post cooling of concrete and grouting the
longitudinal joints after completion of dam.
4. To provide access to observe and measure the behaviour of the structure after its
completion by installing suitable instrumentation.
this
Full reservoir Level: is the highest reservoir level that can be maintained without spillway
discharge or without passing water downstream through sluice ways.
Probable Maximum Flood (PMF): This is the flood resulting from the most severe
combination of critical meteorological and hydrological conditions that rare reasonably
possible in the region. The PMF is computed by using the Probable Maximum Storm (PMS)
which is an estimate of the physical upper limit to storm rainfall over the catchment. This is
obtained from the studies of all the storms that have occurred over the region and maximizing
them for the most critical atmospheric conditions.
Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP): The greatest depth of precipitation for a given
duration meteorologically possible for a given size storm area at a particular location at a
particular time of year.
VARIOUS TYPES OF DAMS: Dams can be classified in number of ways. But most usual
ways of classification of dams are mentioned below:
BASED ON THE USE OF DAM:
Storage dams: They are constructed to store water during the rainy season when there is a
large flow in the river. Many small dams impound the spring runoff for later use in dry
summers. Storage dams may also provide a water supply, or improved habitat for fish and
wildlife. They may store water for hydroelectric power generation, irrigation or for a flood
control project. Storage dams are the most common type of dams and in general the dam
means a storage dam unless qualified otherwise.
Diversion dams: A diversion dam is constructed for the purpose of diverting water of the
river into an off-taking canal (or a conduit). They provide sufficient pressure for pushing
water into ditches, canals, or other conveyance systems. Such shorter dams are used for
irrigation, and for diversion from a stream to a distant storage reservoir. A diversion dam is
usually of low height and has a small storage reservoir on its upstream. The diversion dam is
a sort of storage weir which also diverts water and has a small storage. Sometimes, the terms
weirs and diversion dams are used synonymously.
Detention dams: Detention dams are constructed for flood control. A detention dam retards
the flow in the river on its downstream during floods by storing some flood water. Thus the
effect of sudden floods is reduced to some extent. The water retained in the reservoir is later
released gradually at a controlled rate according to the carrying capacity of the channel
downstream of the detention dam. Thus the area downstream of the dam is protected against
flood.
Debris dams: A debris dam is constructed to retain debris such as sand, gravel, and drift
wood flowing in the river with water. The water after passing over a debris dam is relatively
clear.
BASED ON HYDRAULIC DESIGN:
Overflow dam or overfall dam
It is constructed with a crest to permit overflow of surplus water that cannot be retained in the
reservoir. Generally dams are not designed as overflow dams for its entire length. Diversion
weirs of small height may be designed to permit overflow over its entire length.
Non-overflow dam
It is constructed such that water is not allowed to overflow over its crest. In most cases, dams
are so designed that part of its length is designed as an overflow dam (this part is called the
spillway) while the rest of its length is designed as a non-overflow dam. In some cases, these
two sections are not combined.
BASED ON MATERIAL OF CONSTRUCTION:
Rigid dam
It is constructed with rigid material such as stone, masonry, concrete, steel, or timber. Steel
dams (steel plates supported on inclined struts) and timber dams (wooden planks supported
on a wooden framework) are constructed only for small heights (rarely).
Non-rigid dam (embankment dams)
It is constructed with non-rigid material such as earth, tailings, rockfill etc.
Earthen dam – gravel, sand, silt, clay etc
Tailings dam – waste or refuse obtained from mines;
Rockfill dam – rock material supporting a water tight material on the u/s face;
Rockfill composite dam – Rockfill on the d/s side and earth fill on the u/s side
BASED ONMODE OF RESISTANCE OFFERED / STRUCTURAL BEHAVIOUR:
 GRAVITY DAM
 ARCH DAM
 BUTTRESS DAM