How to Make a Simple Dam
- 1). Clear the dam site. Depending on where you are constructing the dam, you may find rocks, roots, plants and various debris in your way. Clearing this will keep the water around your dam from getting bogged down in the ground and simply turning the ground soggy.
- 2). Dig the accompanying reservoir. A reservoir will accommodate the water being stopped by your dam. The reservoir should be deep enough to accommodate area water, and deep enough to prevent water from simply spreading and puddling across the ground or swamping the area.
- 3). Construct the obstructing device. In highly engineered dams, these are made from concrete and reinforced steel; for a simple dam holding back less water, these materials are often unavailable and unnecessary. A rock wall, heavily mortared, can hold back significant amounts of water. You can even obstruct the pathway of the water, holding it in the reservoir, by using a board or other sturdy object.
- 4). Create a spillway or diversion path. A simple length of pipe, buried beside the reservoir, can divert water to a more desirable location. It can also be used simply as overflow protection by placing it near the top of the reservoir, where it will divert just water that threatens to spill over the edge.
- 5). Construct an emergency spillway. In case of unusually heavy rains, you should have a backup plan for diverting the water blocked by your dam to prevent flooding, damage to your property and other negative consequences.
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