Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees (also known as dikes) are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions.

The Low-Head Dam Inventory includes more than 10,000 low-head dams in the U.S. You must agree to the following terms to continue to the site. You are accessing a U.S. Government (USG)...

Dec 12, 2025 · dam, structure built across a stream, a river, or an estuary to retain water. Dams are built to provide water for human consumption, for irrigating arid and semiarid lands, or for use in industrial …

The National Inventory of Dams (NID) documents all known dams in the United States and its territories that meet certain criteria.

Jun 21, 2024 · A dam is a structure built across a stream or river to hold water back. Dams can be used to store water, control flooding, and generate electricity.

3 days ago · The Army Corps of Engineers balance loads on dams versus flood levels.

Double curvature arch dam. An arch dam, which is curved vertically as well as horizontally. A dam consisting of a watertight part supported at intervals on the downstream side by a series of …

May 30, 2025 · Dams are some of the most important and fascinating structures innovated by human civilization. They help us control water, generate energy, grow food, and protect lives.

By storing and managing water flow, dams have helped improve agriculture, urban water supply, and power generation, making them critical for economic growth and disaster prevention. Dams serve …

Water is one of our most precious resources; our lives depend on it. Throughout the history of humankind, people have built dams to maximize use of this vital resource. Dams provide a life …