Details about dams, weir and barrage

Dams, weirs and barrages belong to various types of head works. The objective of these head works is to raise the head of water on upstream side. Given below, the details of these head works.

Weir: A weir stands for a diversion headwork that is erected across a river to uplift the water level on the upstream side. Similar to barrage, its prime objective is to divert water since there is no storage reservoir.

The water is uplifted to the desired height and the water then streams over the weir. In a weir the water overflows the weir, whereas in Barrages water passes through adaptable gates. Weirs have conventionally been used to develop mill ponds. They are also applied to check flooding, quantify discharge, and help render a river navigable.

Barrage: The prime objective of the barrage is to redirect the flow of river as it does not contain a storage reservoir on its upstream side. The water is uplifted only to few feet. The main distinction from the wear is that it contains modifiable gates installed on top of it. Water level is controlled with these gates.

Dam: A Dam alternatively is a storage headwork and its prime objective is to build up a storage reservoir on the upstream of the dam. Dams are mostly multipurpose projects suitable for Irrigation, hydroelectric power, Flood control, recreation etc.