Importance of the Construction of the Check Dam
Importance of the construction of the check dam
Introduction
A check dam is a structure constructed across a stream,channel or waterway to store the water by reducing the flow velocity of water and also prevent soil erosion.The Construction of check dam is an old method of storage of running water in a particular place.Three type of check dam namely cement concrete check dam,Bloulder check dam and gabion check dam are adopted in this proposal.
Importance of the construction of the check dam
A check dam is a barrier placed in the flow path of a passing waterway such as a channel,stream etc,which helps to collect water in that particular place.This storage of water increases infiltration of surface water through rainfall to groundwater and also reduce the effect of erosion while trapping transported sediments and preventing downstream transport.
Tamil nadu state depends largely upon monsoon for its water resources.The normal annual rainfall of the state is about 945mm of which 48% is through the North East Monsoon and 32% through the South West monsoon.Since the state is entirely dependent on rains for storage and recharging of its water resources,monsoon failures during last year had led to water scarcity and severe drought.
Also the seasonal availability of the rainfall in the state shown a geographical variation.Moreover heavy rainfall in short spells during monsoons makes the problem more serious to our rain fed agriculture resulting in removal of fertile surface soil,thereby leading to low water holding capacity and depleted fertility status of the lands which in turn would result in poor crop production.Taking into account of the importance of rainwater conservation and ground water recharge,it is the right time to look upon means to utilize a part of the surplus surface runoff flowing down to the sea through construction of check dams.
Objective:
Check dams are constructed across gullies/channels from upstream to downstream,streams for impeding the flow of surface water in the stream/channel and water is retained for longer duration in the pervious soil.The broad objectives of check dams are
- Ground water recharge.
- It controls the water velocity and reduces soil erosion
- The stores water improves soil moisture of the adjoining area and improve land fertility allows percolation to recharge the aquifers.
- Other uses by villages like bathing,washing,fishing recreation and also useful for livestock depending on location and potentiality.
- To provide drinking water facilities in the villages along both the sides of the river after monsoon period.
- Check dams provide relatively good removal of coarse and medium size sediment from runoff.
See More
Types of dams: Introduction and classification
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