When dams are designed provision needs to be made to cope with large floods. Spillways are built to provide a path for floodwater to flow over or around the dam. Spillways on concrete dams are usually constructed to allow water to flow over the top. These are not normally appropriate for embankment dams because of the serious damage the the floodwater would cause to loose rock on the downstream side. Spillway associated with embankment dams are built to take the water around the side of the dam and away from the downstream face. |
