Low Head Dams: Difference between revisions
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Many of the most dangerous dams are not the massive concrete structures people often first think of when thinking of dams. Many are low-head dams, also called run-of-the-river dams or "drowning machines". Low-head dams are dams characterized by their low height – usually with a one foot to fifteen foot drop off – that allows water to flow over the top of the dam. Below the surface, the water falling over the dam creates highly aerated, circulating currents that trap people and objects underwater against the face of the dam. These forces are a practically inescapable trap for even the strongest, life jacket clad swimmer or often boats and kayak too. | Many of the most dangerous dams are not the massive concrete structures people often first think of when thinking of dams. Many are low-head dams, also called run-of-the-river dams or "drowning machines". Low-head dams are dams characterized by their low height – usually with a one foot to fifteen foot drop off – that allows water to flow over the top of the dam. Below the surface, the water falling over the dam creates highly aerated, circulating currents that trap people and objects underwater against the face of the dam. These forces are a practically inescapable trap for even the strongest, life jacket clad swimmer or often boats and kayak too. | ||
Low-head dams have a variety of purposes, including hydroelectric power generation, irrigation control, and historically, powering mills. While some dams no longer are needed to serve their original purposes, many others across the United States are still important components of our national water infrastructure. | Low-head dams have a variety of purposes, including hydroelectric power generation, irrigation control, and historically, powering mills. While some dams no longer are needed to serve their original purposes, many others across the United States are still important components of our national water infrastructure. | ||
==Examples== | |||
*[https://damfailures.org/case-study/dock-street-dam-pennsylvania/ Dock Street Dam (Pennsylvania)] | *[https://damfailures.org/case-study/dock-street-dam-pennsylvania/ Dock Street Dam (Pennsylvania)] | ||
==Trainings== | |||
*[[On-Demand Webinar: Identifying Hazards and Improving Public Safety at Low Head Dams]] | *[[On-Demand Webinar: Identifying Hazards and Improving Public Safety at Low Head Dams]] | ||
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Revision as of 21:52, 13 June 2022
Many of the most dangerous dams are not the massive concrete structures people often first think of when thinking of dams. Many are low-head dams, also called run-of-the-river dams or "drowning machines". Low-head dams are dams characterized by their low height – usually with a one foot to fifteen foot drop off – that allows water to flow over the top of the dam. Below the surface, the water falling over the dam creates highly aerated, circulating currents that trap people and objects underwater against the face of the dam. These forces are a practically inescapable trap for even the strongest, life jacket clad swimmer or often boats and kayak too.
Low-head dams have a variety of purposes, including hydroelectric power generation, irrigation control, and historically, powering mills. While some dams no longer are needed to serve their original purposes, many others across the United States are still important components of our national water infrastructure.
Examples
Trainings
Revision ID: 1053
Revision Date: 06/13/2022