Removal edit

I took the following out of the article. It was out of place. Perhaps it can be worked into the article in a different manner. Kbh3rd 23:13, 16 Sep 2004 (UTC)


Some Dutch cities are named after dams; Amsterdam (dam on the Amstel) and Rotterdam (dam on the Rotte).

Compare the usage of the word barrage.


Image of Eder dam edit

I'm not quite sure whether the Eder dam is really a gravity dam (I think so). Someone who knows about this stuff should review this, please. --Iediteverything 15:24, 18 Sep 2004 (UTC)

dam meaning dekametre edit

dam is the symbol for dekametre. I am reluctant to changing dam into a disambiguation page, but I think the meaning dekametre ought to be mentioned somehow. –Peter J. Acklam 19:45, 26 Jan 2005 (UTC)

I put a short disambiguation line in the front of the article – see how you think that works. No, I don't believe it should be turned into a pure disambiguation page linking to separate articles depending on meaning. -- Kbh3rd 23:24, 26 Jan 2005 (UTC)

First dam builders edit

I removed a comment about Persians being the first dam builders. Intriguing if true, but no background or reference was offered to support accuracy of this statement. The statement standing alone looks like someone adding something they "just know from somewhere". A paragraph, if not a section, on the history of dams would be good for the article. Kbh3rd 09:45, 3 May 2005 (UTC)Reply

First dam builders edit

This might seem funny, but I believe the first dam builders were beavers. There is no mention of anything about this. How about a least link to beavers at least? Nevermind, now I see it.  :-P

Environmental Impact edit

There's no mention of the negative environmental impact of dams - fish passage, altered water temperatures downstream, affects on biodiversity in rivers, soil erosion, ecosystem impacts, etc.

I added a section on Environmental Impacts which was taken off this morning. I'm not really sure why. The revision 117147121 has my edits. I'm new to wikipedia and I don't really understand why it was taken off. If someone could explain to me especially the person who took it off I would be grateful. --Rf707 22:35, 23 March 2007 (UTC)Reply

I believe it was removed due to copyright violation concerns. ZueJay (talk) 02:07, 22 July 2007 (UTC)Reply

Etymology edit

Wikipedia articles typically do not interrupt the first sentence with etymological information. I do not believe doing so contributes much to this article and propose removing it if good argument can be made for its continuing inclusion. I love etymology, by the way, but I don't think it belongs here. Kbh3rd 21:20, 9 July 2005 (UTC)Reply

Spillway clarification edit

In the section talking about the spillway, it sounds as if it's the primary means of expelling excess water. This is not always the case. The primary means of expelling water for some dams is its flood tower (I believe that's what it is called), as pictured behind these men here:

Cedar Creek Dam
Cedar Creek Dam

In case of floods, however, these types of dams do have an emergency spillway if the flow of water is greater than what the flood tower can handle (Picture here: http://www.cedarcreeklake.info/img/spillway.jpg).

Any thoughts?

Thanks, DannyMac

Dam types not covered edit

It seems like some dam types are not covered in this article, such as:

  • Crib
  • Flashboard and Buttress
  • Inflatable
  • Reinforced Tank
  • Slab and Buttress
  • breeding

Does anyone know about these types of dams? -- Kjkolb 05:36, September 2, 2005 (UTC)

I know what a Timber Crib dam is and could add details but I thought that was already in there. I am not aware of the other kinds. It's also possible to make a steel crib or concrete crib dam. I intend to add Steel dam as a type covered, as I created an article for Steel dams, unless someone has strong reasons not to do so. ++Lar: t/c 14:00, 23 January 2006 (UTC)Reply
I'll be adding a timber crib picture soon. I think there is an inflatable dam drawing at "Design of Small Dams", US Bureau of Reclamation, 65MB pdf (I'm not sure, been a while since I looked). --Duk 17:23, 23 January 2006 (UTC)Reply
I have added Steel Dam as a type. Ironically, the timber crib pic used is the dam that was there prior to the steel dam at the same location, and which is exposed since the steel dam is no longer impounding water. Neat! ++Lar: t/c 14:48, 10 March 2006 (UTC)Reply

history not covered adequately edit

We need a separate section on the history of dams and daming.--Zereshk 23:26, 31 December 2005 (UTC)Reply

Wikipedia:Article Improvement Drive edit

Architecture of Africa is currently nominated on Wikipedia:Article Improvement Drive. Come to this page and support it with your vote. Help us improve this article to featured status.--Fenice 08:46, 17 January 2006 (UTC)Reply

regarding dams edit

(I didn't have time to go and edit this page, so can somebody do it? ( I mean the dam page, not this discussion page)). Anyways, can somebody (preferably Brendan Moody) add this: A dam is a large barrier that blocks something, eg. water. A hydro-electric dam blocks water from rushing too fast into a generator to generate electricity. another meaning for dam is: something that a beaver builds, to live in. (a beaver's dam) another meaning for dam is: a mother horse, (the sire is the father) another meaning for dam is... (ask Abbopa if you want to find out. leave a comment on Abbopa's talk page.)--24.81.2.126 03:54, 24 January 2006 (UTC)Reply

Gravity dams edit

Moved from article:

(NOTE: Can someone rewrite or edit this in a more general style? The intent is not to impress us with gargon and big words, but to explain gravity dams in words and terms that are more understandable... EXAMPLE: "stability is secured by making it of such a size and shape that it will resist overturning, sliding and crushing at the toe" Thanks)

(RE: NOTE- "Jargon" notwithstanding, one should be able to ascertain that the "toe" of a dam is it's base. Such a relationship would logically follow because of where toes are located on any animal with such an appendage.)

Anicut edit

Anicut redirects here - so what is it? Rmhermen 19:44, 28 August 2006 (UTC)Reply

According to dictionary.com,

\An"i*cut\, Annicut \An"ni*cut\, n. [Tamil anai kattu dam building.] A dam or mole made in the course of a stream for the purpose of regulating the flow of a system of irrigation. [India] --Brande & C.

So a dam in India? --Wirbelwind 23:37, 28 August 2006 (UTC)Reply

External link to IRN edit

I'm not convinced this is an appropriate place to link the www.irn.org Internation Rivers Network per WP:EL guidelines. Please explain why this is, or is not, an appropriate link for this page. Thanks! Zue 23:46, 8 February 2007 (UTC)Reply

Largest dams edit

I didn't see it in this article... but do we have a list of largest dams in the world? And, if not, where are resources to make a good list about it? gren グレン 08:43, 27 March 2007 (UTC)Reply

In External Links.. edit

Maybe it's just my computer but a few of them are "missing".

World Commission on Dams (WCD) for example, says that it's not there, or something like that. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 71.223.70.24 (talk) 14:49, 12 May 2007 (UTC).Reply

Proposed merge edit

I've proposed a merge of Environmental impacts of dams into Dam. The Environmental article seems like a fork, possibly POV in nature (see WP:CFORK). Previously, the Environmental article was in this article as a section, but was repeatedly removed because it had copyright violations. The current article does not appear to have the same problem. Thus, there's no reason not to incorporate it into this article. Thoughts? ZueJay (talk) 02:07, 22 July 2007 (UTC)Reply

Sure, that makes sense. You should merge it in as an "Environmental Impacts" section. WikiReaderer 23:36, 22 October 2007 (UTC)Reply
Oh, its already been done. That'll teach me to read the whole article before commenting, hopefully... WikiReaderer 23:53, 22 October 2007 (UTC)Reply

Steel Dams edit

The section says "Only two examples remain in the US." Does this mean that there are only two examples and both are in the US, or that of those that remain, only two are in the US? Suggest clarify or remove. Ei2g 15:12, 25 July 2007 (UTC)Reply

Wikipedia:Spotlight edit

Merge: Environmental_impacts_of_dams edit

We chose not to participate in the merger of said article and Dam due to two main reasons. The first is the obvious severe lacking in sources in the proposed. The second reason is that the proposed article has enough potential to isolate itself from Dam. We felt that with expansion (which is needed) and sources, the article could easily sustain itself.--danielfolsom 00:32, 2 August 2007 (UTC)Reply

Agreed per discussion - FT2 (Talk | email) 00:37, 2 August 2007 (UTC)Reply
Note -- also merged Earthen dam per same discussion. FT2 (Talk | email) 00:57, 2 August 2007 (UTC)Reply
What discussion? Where? Who's we? ZueJay (talk) 19:14, 5 August 2007 (UTC)Reply
We - is WP:Spotlight - which worked on this article, we're just explaining why we didn't move it. This isn't an official thing - with suppurt you could still do the move - however it seems that with FT2 and myself not being for the move - you don't have support.--danielfolsom 20:50, 5 August 2007 (UTC)Reply
I understand who "we" is, now. Where is the "discussion" that ya'll have alluded to regarding this proposed merge? I'd like to read it. Or is that couple sentences above it? ZueJay (talk) 21:07, 5 August 2007 (UTC)Reply
Oppose. Environmental impacts of dams has potential to be separate article. Merge with Dam will create too long article, which is against general policy of Wikipedia. Beagel (talk) 16:38, 12 January 2008 (UTC)Reply

Categorization inconsistency - to research and fix edit

The article has stated that there are masonry (arch/gravity) and earthen type dams, and timber dams.

  1. What category are coffer dams usually considered to fall into (CITE needed)
  2. How are dam structures actually categorized? is the article correct?
  3. Are the categorization groupings used, recognized and sourcable, or WP:OR?

--FT2 (Talk | email) 00:35, 2 August 2007 (UTC)Reply

Vandalism edit

The user Danielfolsom is removing all attributions from not American origin. I added examples of a specific type of dams, protection against sea inundations, which is completely different from flood protection and he removed it twice as he did earlier with the explanation of the origin of te word Dam. My examples are very relevant, the first example refers to the most costly project ever on earth (not the race to the moon as many Americans think), the second to (one of) the longest dam(s) in the world (32 km) and the third to a still existing dam (800 years old) that is close to the original meaning of the word dam. Im my opinion are te actions by Danielfolsom close to vandalism. I will add the removed parts again and suggest a blocking of Danielfolsom when he removes it again. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Robvhoorn (talkcontribs) 17:03, 2 August 2007 (UTC)Reply

First of all, again, sign your post with four tildes; second of all, you didn't mention anything about cost in the first example - nor did you have the source to that, so it's irreverent. Then the next addition you had was duplicating a section called "Flood prevention" - jsut so you could talk about one dam, which wasn't the point of the table. Flood prevention of sees is still flood prevention. I re-added the dam you listed in the duplicated section, however, to the table in the correct, original area. Thirdly, your suggestion about the American bias is not thought through. You say I have removed all examples, yet you provide only one diff- yours. I reverted you because you duplicated a section, but again, I added the dam that you gave - that's not American bias at all - and I would ask you not to make personal attacks (WP:PA)--danielfolsom 17:06, 2 August 2007 (UTC)Reply
You need to provide sources (books or high quality websites) backing up your claims.Genisock2 17:09, 2 August 2007 (UTC)Reply

Robvhoorn - I just moved your paragraph on the Netherlands (which looking now - I shouldn't have removed, however it does need to be in a different place) to the bottom of the section, as it wasn't really fitting to place that BEFORE we talked about the first dams built, however, again, I'm fine with that contribution. But, I deleted the part on the table for said reason.--danielfolsom 17:20, 2 August 2007 (UTC)Reply

Goin' with the lo-flow edit

No mention of low-flow dams? I understand they're designed not to form reservoirs, but work more like weirs. Can somebody confirm? Add info? (I've tried tracking some down with no success...) Trekphiler 10:32, 26 August 2007 (UTC)Reply

I know how you feel, but I don't know anything about them. 04:51p.m., 07/11/08(GMT)--DJackD (talk) 06:53, 7 November 2008 (UTC)DJackDReply
Trekphiler, What is a low-flow dam? 03:12p.m., 08/11/08 (GMT)--DJackD (talk) 05:16, 8 November 2008 (UTC)Reply
The only experience I have had is in flood prevention in which low dams with relatively narrow, usually V shaped orifice plates are placed downstream of wide and unpopulated sections of flood-plain. In potentially flood conditions these act as brakes on the flow downstream causing substantial ponding within the flood plain which then slowly drains away as conditions return to normal. I suspect that they are becoming less common as all the flood plains (in Europe) are becoming covered in development and farmers resent their fertile fields being drowned for a couple of months in the winter. Velela (talk) 22:46, 13 November 2008 (UTC)Reply
Can't tell you much more than I have already. I've heard the term, & seen it proposed to generate power without flooding land in northern Canada, as opposed to the northern Manitoba experience (for instance) which is (almost) universally decried as stupid. I've seen refs to them (can't name any offhand), but none of the people/orgs I've emailed could tell me more. TREKphiler hit me ♠ 01:46, 14 November 2008 (UTC)Reply

Failure detection systems edit

While living in the City of Monterey Park, California, there was a minor. failure of the clay core dam owned by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. The probable cause was movement from earthquakes. The result was that flows through the clay core of Garvey Reservoir undermined foundations of houses downstream from the reservoir. The MWD proposed plastic lining to prevent further leaks. I put a recommendation into the Environmental Impact Report for sensors to be placed between liner layers so that a leak could be detected. This was was implemented by court order, and as far as I know is the first such leak sensor system implemented to detect failures. Saltysailor (talk) 05:10, 16 April 2008 (UTC)Reply

Dam creation: Common purposes edit

I propose turning the table about common purposes of dam creation into organised paragraphs with their corresponding subheadings as to provide more information in a clearer way, instead of just being a table with a couple of examples, because I think the article does not provide sufficient information about this. --Wikiean (talk) 20:50, 8 June 2008 (UTC)Reply

I agree that the table is hard to read and does not present the information in the best possible way. –Mattisse (Talk) 21:16, 8 June 2008 (UTC)Reply

Temporary dams edit

Get a few mentions in passing but more is probably needed.Geni 04:28, 29 July 2008 (UTC)Reply

If revising it might be worth adding something about inflatable dams (Fabridams). John Dalton (talk) 07:12, 24 November 2008 (UTC)Reply

Dam safety edit

It would be interesting to have some coverage of how dams are inspected and maintained for safety, and what the risks are. [1] and [2] might be good starting points for research. -- Beland (talk) 09:08, 25 November 2008 (UTC)Reply

WikiProject? edit

I just finally thought of a place to suggest already proposed WikiProject Dams, which has been proposed for about 1.5 months already. Because dams are such a large topic, it's interesting that there are no banners on any dam article talk page... See also Wikipedia:WikiProject Council/Proposals/Dams. If anyone has a comment, could they please post a reply here, on my talk page, or on the page above? themaeetalk 18:35, 2 May 2009 (UTC)Reply

"Roman period"? edit

In the "History" section, it reads "The oldest surviving and standing dam in the world is believed to be the Quatinah barrage in modern-day Syria. The dam is assumed to date back to the reign of the Egyptian pharao Sethi (1319–1304 BC), and was enlarged in the Roman period and between 1934-38." Somehow, I doubt that the Roman period was in the 20th century. This statement needs to be corrected, but I don't know when the correct dates would be. Help? Bricology (talk) 23:18, 26 May 2009 (UTC)Reply

:D , further more Sethi's page leads to an Indian surname, and i don't think that roots back to an Egyptian pharaoh. i guessed probably Seti I, but his reign didn't begin until at least 1294 BC. i will look again after this statement in the history page. Khaled Khalil (talk) 21:23, 8 December 2009 (UTC)Reply

Embankment/Gravity Dams edit

Hello. Could someone explain the differences between Embankment and Gravity dams? I don't seem to be able to find it within this article. Thanks. Rehman(+) 07:18, 20 July 2010 (UTC)Reply

Embankment dams are constructed with earth, rock and in general 'particles'. Gravity dams are solid and normally made of concrete. Both use their weight for support. The embankment dam article explains it better.--NortyNort (talk) 09:11, 20 July 2010 (UTC)Reply
Oh I see. Thanks. Guess we should mention that somewhere in the article. Kind regards. Rehman(+) 09:21, 20 July 2010 (UTC)Reply

File:Harbaqa Dam, Syria. Pic 02.jpg Nominated for Deletion edit

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World capacity edit

One thing missing is the estimated total capacity, and perhaps current approximate storage, of all the world's dams. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.41.222.1 (talk) 03:43, 23 November 2011 (UTC)Reply

Grammar edit

The Spillways section's grammar int his article is rather poor, especially in regard to number. For example:

"Fusegate elements are independent free-standing block set side by side "
"They work as fixed weir most of the time allowing overspilling for the common floods." — Preceding unsigned comment added by 101.168.42.155 (talk) 03:56, 25 February 2013 (UTC)Reply
Thanks, it's fixed. In the future, feel free to edit the article. Your contributions are welcome here.--NortyNort (Holla) 21:27, 25 February 2013 (UTC)Reply

Kobar Dam is missed edit

The Kobar Arched Dam is an old and still in service Dam. So I think somebody should add it to the article!

Sadd-e Kobar Dam on the Kobar (Kowar or Veshnaveh) River, 28km south-east of Qom, is the eight oldest dam. It is an arch-gravity dam estimated to have been constructed in the 10th Century AD and is still functional. The dam is constructed primarily of lime stones, including mortar made of sand, lime, ash and albumen. It provides flood protection and facilitates irrigation downstream. It is approximately 25m high and 82m long. 171.5.186.170 (talk) 11:33, 24 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

Thanks for the suggestion, we have an article for Kebar Dam here. It is not included in the history section because, although it is old, it is not the oldest and is among many other old dams in Iran from the same period.--NortyNort (Holla) 16:29, 24 February 2015 (UTC)Reply

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Dam failure possible in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge, Quebec edit

High waters in Quebec are leading to emergency evacuations in some areas. News stories: Quebec issues evacuation order in Grenville-sur-la-Rouge as dam could burst With Quebec dam at risk of failing, evacuation ordered on Rouge River in western Laurentians Eastmain (talkcontribs) 00:55, 26 April 2019 (UTC)Reply

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion edit

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Common purposes edit

One purpose is missing in the table of Common purposes:

The use for energie storage.

This is different than just power generation. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2A0C:D242:3682:C900:DE7:65CF:143E:5757 (talk) 06:06, 29 December 2021 (UTC)Reply

Pumped storage is covered in Dam#Power generation plant. --David Biddulph (talk) 10:37, 29 December 2021 (UTC)Reply

Semi-protected edit request on 5 March 2022 edit

Please make the United Kindom dams and reservoirs list only for Dams. 2402:E280:3D23:72B:3529:5225:192A:4850 (talk) 09:34, 5 March 2022 (UTC)Reply

  Not done: it's not clear what changes you want to be made. Please mention the specific changes in a "change X to Y" format and provide a reliable source if appropriate. Paper9oll (🔔📝) 09:39, 5 March 2022 (UTC)Reply