A dam is a hydraulic-type construction. Its purpose is the retention of water from aquifers and rivers to store it and so that it can then be used by the inhabitants of a community, a town or a city.
Origins and bases of construction
These hydraulic works were developed in ancient times and the Roman aqueducts were the first constructions that were created as dams. Originally, they were built in areas where water was scarce and it was difficult to obtain them. In addition to supplying water to the population, they also had the function of agricultural supply. The fundamental idea of seniority continues today and the changes made are exclusively technical.
The dams are generally built between two hills in the riverbed, where the water is communicated to a large lake-shaped reservoir, from which fresh water is carried to the agricultural areas and the population through a network of pipes. . In this sense, it must be taken into account that dams have a strategic value, since the control of water is essential for life and for economic development.
Dams as a symbol of progress
In the 19th and 20th centuries, prosperous nations realized the importance of river basins and large constructions were put in place to control the water. The dams became pharaonic works and great symbols of progress.
How are these giants made up?
They are usually built from a large concrete structure. Dams also become a platform for energy production, which is why there is also talk of hydroelectric dams. The energy from the water is used to make a reservoir, in which turbines are activated that produce electricity. The hydroelectric generators of some dams produce millions of kilowatts of energy, which makes it possible to illuminate cities with millions of inhabitants.
One of the problematic aspects of these constructions is the need to divert the course of the rivers in most cases. This circumstance implies that natural habitats are clearly affected. For this reason, environmental movements oppose some dams, as the progress they provide is relative and debatable. Obviously, supporters of its construction argue that the function of dams is synonymous with progress (they provide water, create energy and prevent possible flooding of rivers).
