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View Full Version : What happens if there is dam overflow


mvjohn100
Aug 21, 2018, 07:10 AM
On the previous week news (14-Aug-2018) we found one dam overflows because of excess water. Few days it stayed like that way. Is it affect it's strength

talaniman
Aug 21, 2018, 12:55 PM
Possibly but I wouldn't stand there watching to see if it holds... RUN! Typically when dams are built, a spillway(s) is also built to keep the water level behind the dam at a safe level.

Did I mention RUN... for much higher ground... and safe distance.

ma0641
Aug 21, 2018, 08:05 PM
Depends on the dam construction. Earthen dams are usually the ones to fail. Concrete dams rarely. All dams should have a spillway. My friend has a 5 acre pond with an earthen dam. It has a stone bed spillway AND another 8" PVC pipe emergency overflow pipe.

ebaines
Aug 23, 2018, 05:17 AM
A concrete dam may indeed fail if over-topped for too long - it all depends on how it's designed. Water flowing over the top may not harm the concrete itself, but can cause scouring at the base and along the embankments on either side.