We often confused with the meanings and connotations of the term Dam and Reservoir. Actually, both are different in their meanings. From the evolution of mankind, human has been constantly struggling to harness the flow of water so that they can supply right amount of water to the right places. For that matter, human create dams and reservoir all around the river to control the flow of the river and to store water for various purposes.
Difference between Dam and Reservoir
Dam is created as a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of water or underground streams. Whereas, Reservoir is an open-air storage area (usually formed by masonry or earthwork) where water is collected and kept in quantity so that it may be drawn off for use.
Dam
1. It is a concrete barrier designed to control the flow of a river and to store water for various purposes.
2. It is built across a stream, a river, or an estuary to retain water.
3. It is used for generation hydro power.
4. It is an artificial wall in the reservoir, is built at the narrowest point to hold in the water.
5. It is designed and constructed to stop the flowing water completely.
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Reservoir
1. It is impounding of water of a flowing river.
2. It is integral part of dam.
3. It is used for irrigation and domestic water supply.
4. It might be natural or artificial lake, storage pond or impoundment created using a dam or lock to store water.
5. It is designed to accommodate to store the Silt expected in the inflow.
Despite of differences, dams and reservoirs serve a number of different functions but one of the largest is to maintain an area’s water supply.
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