7 Differences Between Dam and Reservoir

Dam and reservoir are two interconnected terms. Both of these are directly connected to each other because the existence of a dam and reservoir is only possible with both. Draughts are very common in ancient times.

To get rid of this the only way is to control the flow of the rivers and use that water in Hard Times. To fully fill this dam is the only choice. A dam is a manmade structure that is constructed across the river which stops the flow of water and also raises the level of water in the river.

Dams and reservoirs are very important to water bodies these days. These are the main source of electricity these days. A dam and reservoir are the two most important components of a hydroelectric project. Both of these terms are interesting in each other. But there are many differences between a Dam and reservoir. In this post, we will discuss in detail their differences, uses, advantages, and disadvantages.

Dam Vs Reservoir

Parameters	Dam	Reservoir
Physical Appearance	A dam is a wall-like structure. A big wall is constructed across the river or flow of water.	It is a lake-like structure. Mostly it is formed by a barrier across the flow of the water. When the water is accumulated behind the barrier. A reservoir is formed.
Impacts on nature	It affects the seasonal movement of the fishes and other water-living organisms of water.	Reservoir affects the surrounding living things like animals and human beings. When the water level is increased in the reservoir. It flooded the surrounding area which leads to the displacement of living things.
Construction material	The dam is constructed with different materials like concrete, steel, wood, rock, and soil.	A reservoir is a water body that is formed by a barrier across the flow of the water.
Main purpose	The main purpose of the dam is to control or regulate the flow of water as per requirements.	The main purpose of the reservoir is to store water for the summer season.
uses	The dam is mostly used for electricity generation.	It is a storage structure that is used for many purposes like irrigation, power generation, and also for water supply.
Transportation and tourism.	The dam attracts tourists.	Reservoir also attracts tourists and is also used for transportation purposes.

What is a Dam 

A dam is a manmade wall-like structure that is constructed to stop or divert the flow of water. The main purpose of the dam is to control the flow of water as per the requirement and need. The dam is mostly used in hydroelectric or irrigational projects.

A dam is a wall-like structure that is currently made of concrete or steel. In ancient times dams are constructed with wood, stones, and soil. In ancient times dams are constructed to full fill the need for water in the dry season.

These days’ dams are constructed everywhere due to the increase in the demand for green and pollution-free energy. Hydroelectric projects are working on the water and its availability. Both of these requirements are fulfilled by the dam because dam provides the control over the flow of the water. And by the construction of the dam reservoir is automatically created and it stores a huge amount of water.

Advantages of the Dam

1. A dam stops the flow of water and provides control over the flow of the water.
2. It helps to create a reservoir that stores the water.
3. A dam is used to generate electricity.
4. The dam Protects the surrounding area from flooding.
5. It provides water for irrigation in the dry season.
6. It raises the level of water which causes the surrounding area immersed in the water.

Disadvantages of the Dam

1. Dam makes an effect on the things which live in the water.
2. Dam stops the seasonal movement of the fishes and other water creatures.
3. When Dams are broken it affects a large area.

What is Reservoir

A reservoir is an artificial huge lake-like structure that is formed by the construction of a dam. This is a water body that stores a large amount of water. All the water stored in the reservoir is the raised water which is raised by the dam. The reservoir is directly connected to the dam because the possibility of a reservoir is only after the construction of the dam.

The water stored in the reservoir is used for the generation of electricity, irrigation, and many other needs of the water. Reservoir rises the grounded or freshwater level in the surrounding area and it also helps to maintain a healthy environment. In reservoir water is directly faded by the particular river or run-off rainwater.

By the Reservoir, many bad effects are imposed on the water creatures which live in that particular river. In reservoirs mostly the water remains in one place for a long time. Due to this the quality of the water decrease and the oxygen level also decreased which affects the life cycle of the water creatures.

The reservoir also disturbs the lives of the surrounding area due to the rise in the level of the water animals and humans have to relocate from that area. Because of the rise in the water level, most of the surrounding areas get immersed in the water.

Advantages of the reservoir

1. It provides water for hydroelectric projects.
2. The reservoir provides water for irrigation.
3. It provides a beautiful view which attracts the tourist.
4. It helps to level up the groundwater.
5. The reservoir is used for fishing and boating.

Disadvantages of the reservoir

1. It makes bad effects on the water creatures.
2. Humans and other creatures that live in that particular area are also affected by the rises in the water. In that case, they have only one choice to leave that place
3. It lowers the quality of the water due to the stillness of the water.

Types of the Reservoir

1. Storage reservoir
2. Flood control reservoir
3. Distribution reservoir

Storage Reservoir

This type of reservoir is constructed to store water during the rainy season. This water is used in the dry season for irrigation or hydroelectric purposes. These days most of the reservoir is used for the generation of hydroelectric energy. The storage of these reservoirs is very big.

Flood control reservoir

This type of reservoir is constructed where there is a danger of flood. The most plane area comes under the flood area, on such places flood control reservoirs are constructed. These reservoirs save much life during the rainy season. The size of this reservoir is not so big as storage reservoirs.

Distribution Reservoirs

These are the small reservoirs that are used to store small amounts of water. The water from these reservoirs is used to distribute surrounding demotic needs.

Top 10 Reservoirs in the world

Sr.no	Reservoir Name	Country	Area in Sqkm
1	Lake Volta	Ghana	8482
2	Smallwood	Canada	6527
3	Kuybyshev	Russia	6450
4	Lake Kariba	Zimbabwe, Zambia	5580
5	Bukhtarma	Kazakhstan	5490
6	Bratsk	Russia	5426
7	Lake Nasser	Egypt, Sudan	5248
8	Rybinsk	Russia	4580
9	Caniapiscau	Canada	4318
10	Lake Guri	Venezuela	4250

The main differences between Dam and reservoir

1. The main difference between a dam and reservoir is the look of both of these water bodies. A dam is a wall-like structure while a reservoir is an open-air lake-like water body.
2. A dam is a manmade barrier which is used to stop the flow of water on the other hand reservoir is created by the construction of the dam.
3. The main purpose of the dam is to control the flow of water. While reserving is used to store the water on a large scale.
4. The dam is constructed with different materials like wood, stone, soil, concrete, and steel. While the reservoir is a water body that is formed by the storage of water.
5. A dam is only used to control the flow of water for electricity generation in hydroelectric projects. On the other hand, the reservoir is used for many purposes like irrigation, boating, fishing, transportation, etc.
6. The dam is the main part and the reservoir is the internal part.
7. Dam interrupts the seasonal movement of the water creatures. while the reservoir becomes the cause of relocation of the humans and animals from that particular area.

Conclusion

Dam and reservoirs play an important role in the requirements and needs of the water. Both of these parts are interrelated each other and directly dependent upon the availability of water. It provides water in the dry season for different purposes.

Currently, we need clean energy which is generated by hydroelectric projects which are directly dependent on water. Hydroelectric energy is the best non-conventional source of energy which is only possible with the help of a dam and reservoir.

This is all about the difference between a Dam and a reservoir. We hope you understand the difference between a Dam and reservoir very well. If you have any doubts or questions, please feel free to comment on us. For more informative differences like this please visit our website.