Classification of Dams According to Use:
1. Storage Dams: They are constructed in order to
store water during the periods of surplus water supply, to be used later during
the periods of deficient supply. The stored water may be used in different
seasons and for different uses. They may be further classified depending upon
the specific use of this water, such as navigation, recreation, water supply,
fish, electricity, etc.
2. Diversion Dams: These small dams are used to rise the
river water level, in order to feed an off-taking canal and some other
conveyance systems. They are very useful as irrigation development works. A
diversion dam is generally called wair
or a barrage.
3. The detention Dams: They detain food-waters temporarily
so as to retard flood runoff and thus minimize the bad effects of sudden flood.
Detention dams are sometimes constructed on trap sediment. They are often
called debris dams.
Classification of Dams According to Hydraulic Design:
1. Overflow Dams: These types of dams are design to
pass the surplus water over their crest. They are often called spillways. They
should be made of which not be eroded by such discharges.
2. Non-overflow Dams: They are those which are not design
to be overtopped. This type of design gives us wider choice of materials
including earth-fill and rock-fill dams.
3.
Rigid Dams and Non-rigid Dams: Rigid
dams are those which are constructed of rigid materials like masonry, concrete,
steel, timber, etc.; while non-rigid dams are constructed of earth-fill and
rock-fill.
