What is the difference between Dam and Reservoir?

In a sense, both the dam and reservoir are constructed to serve the same purpose, at least they prevent the flow of water. However, there are some differences between the dam and the reservoir. A dam is a structure placed across a flowing body of water so as to stop the flow. Dams are mostly constructed in such a way that they won’t be able to control the flow of water after it has reached a particular height.

A reservoir, on the other hand, can be defined as a man-made lake where water is collected and kept for use any time it is needed. From the two definitions, it is evident that a dam is just a physical structure constructed in the form of concrete across a flowing body of water to prevent the flow of water. While the true meaning of a reservoir is centered on the water behind the walls constructed. Dams are often used to generate electricity, while reservoirs are made for domestic needs.

A dam is a man-made structure that is placed across a flowing body of water to stop the flow or part of the flow of water. This is generally done to retain or divert some of the water or retarding the release of accumulated to prevent abrupt flooding.

Dams are also used to generate a hydroelectric current which supplies electricity to the general population A reservoir is a human-made structure like a dam. It is created mainly to hold and store water. Water can be stored in a reservoir for consumption purpose, for agricultural purposes and many more.

A dam can is a human-made barrier, placed in a flowing river, and to use its water in a resourceful manner. Strategic placement can prevent excess flow to specific regions and directing flow to areas where water is sparse. A reservoir is technically impounding of water behind a dam.

They are similar to lakes. Dams are ecological disturbances, but the creation of barriers is essential in modern times. Reservoirs are an integral part of any dam. While reservoirs are used for both irrigation and domestic water supply, dams are also used for the generation of hydropower.

Dams and reservoirs both contain and hold tons of water but have really big differences. Dams are made around valleys or rivers to ensure water to supply the people and even power up hydroelectric plants. Dams help in stopping of water to overflow, especially to communities nearby. Reservoirs, on the other hand, is the accumulated water in dams. Reservoirs help in supplying water to millions of people and help in agriculture. Some dams are small, especially when reservoirs are not present in them.

This kind of dams acts as a wall to stop the overflow of water to communities that may cause floods. In simpler terms, dams are built to control the flow of water to avoid floods while reservoirs are used to catch excess water (e.g., rainfall) to supply water, especially in the dry season.

A dam is known to be something that will have the ability to hold backwater. They can make sure that there are different regions that it carriers that will have access to clean water. This can also prevent excess water from going to other regions.

This will make sure that there is enough water for everyone. The reservoir is also man-made and it looks similar to a lake. Its main goal is to store water. These two usually go together and they make sure that there is enough clean water that would supply the area that the dam and the reservoir are for. There are times when these two are used interchangeably.