The dam is one of the most important inventions of man. It can prevent floods and can be used as a water storage system. The following shows you how to build a dam for a home or school project.
Required Tools and Materials
Pen
Paper
Scissors
Marker
Masking tape
Ruler
Nail
Water
Paper milk carton (1/2 gallon)
Choose an area where to conduct the test. You can do it at the sink for example.
Step 2
Cut the milk carton and set the carton in the side. Start at the bottom and move half an inch up. Punch an opening in the side’s middle. Use the nail to make the hole. From that opening, move another half inch up.
Make a hole an inch wide. Make a two inch hole half an inch over this one. Make a four inch hole 2 inches over this one. All the holes have to be aligned properly.
Step 3
To learn how to build a dam properly, put masking tape over the four holes you made.
Step 4
Make a water line within the carton. When conducting the experiment, always fill it up to this line.
Step 5
Put water in the carton. Position the carton so the water goes in the drain.
Step 6
Take off the tapes so water can drain in the holes.
Step 7
To see different effects, put tape over some of the holes. Notice how the water flow changes.
Making Groundwater Dams
These are used for interrupting the groundwater flows and it can also be used to contain water. These are made in areas with a stable clay bed or bedrock.
Digging the Site
Unlike dam school projects, a real dam requires digging using heavy equipment or shovels. The dig goes all the way onto the bedrock. After the site is dug, stones or bricks are stacked up to make a wall.
The wall can also be made from plastic, clay and any other weather resistant material. The dam wall has to be packed tight. This will ensure the area is watertight.
Once the walls have been set up, a pipe will be placed in the reservoir wall. This will go into the pump at a riverbank’s side.
This design will make it easier to keep the water. This design also prevents flooding from occurring, keeping disasters at bay.
Learning how to build a dam is easy, but the actual building process is of course more complex. However, the process outlined here is used in most dams.
