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 …

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 …

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.

Oct 22, 2025 · It is designed to provide a variety of users the ability to search for specific data about dams in the United States and serves as a resource to support awareness of dams and …

4 days ago · Environment Satellites show dozens of U.S. dams are sinking. More could be at risk. Researchers detected subtle shifts in the height of all 41 structures they studied in 13 states …

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. …

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 …

Feb 5, 2019 · Dams are man-made structures built to contain and protect water supplies. They fundamentally change the shape of our landscapes across the country.

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.

Think about your impressions of dams and the reservoirs behind them that you have seen. Large concrete dams have grandeur, and the huge lakes that they contain are often sited in …