How Dams Vary and Why It Matters for the Emerging Science of Dam Removal

Dams are structures designed by humans to capture water and modify the magnitude and timing of its movement downstream. The damming of streams and rivers has been integral to human population growth and technological innovation. Among other things, dams have reduced flood hazard and allowed humans to settle and farm productive alluvial soils on river floodplains; they have harnessed the power of moving water for commerce and industry; and they have created reservoirs to augment the supply of water during periods of drought. In the 5000 or so years that humans have been building dams, millions have been constructed globally, especially in the last 100 years (Smith 1971, WCD 2000). If dams have successfully met…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• PC
  Pew Charitable Trusts
• SD
  San Diego State University