Lifecycle of a Dam and Reservoir

Designing and building a dam and reservoir is a feat of engineering. A great deal of effort is required to design, construct, operate and maintain a dam and reservoir, and eventually (if required) remove the structure.

Before a dam is built, the following questions must be answered: 

  • What is the purpose of the dam?
  • Where will the dam be located?
  • What kind of dam and reservoir design is suitable?

Run-of-the-River

“Run-of-the-river” is a term that refers to hydroelectric plants that generate electricity using the natural flow of the river water. Run-of-the-river plants have very small reservoirs behind them, or no reservoirs at all.

Purpose of the Dam

Dams can be used for any of the following purposes:

  • Water storage 
  • Hydroelectric generation
  • Recreation
  • Flood protection
  • Waste containment

Before a dam can be constructed, its primary purpose must be identified. 

Location of the Dam

When determining the location of a reservoir and dam, two factors must be taken into account. First, areas of the landscape where there are low depressions are the ideal location for reservoirs. Second , a dam and reservoir should cause as little disturbance as possible to landowners and the environment. Sometimes an ideal geographical spot may not be the best spot to build if there is significant impact on people and the environment. 

If the area where a dam will be built is inhabited or includes any structures, property may need to be purchased or expropriated.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Ross Douglas

Ross Douglas

Board Member

Ross has extensive executive experience in Operations, Governance, Information Technology and Strategy at the board and senior management level including Mancal Corporation, Mancal Energy, Highridge Exploration and Atlantis Resources. He has worked in Oil and Gas, Coal, Commercial Real Estate, Portfolio Management, Recreation, Retail and Water and Wastewater Treatment. His experience is also geographically diverse having overseen operations in Canada, the United States, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland. Additionally, he has been on the board of companies with operations in Argentina, Azerbaijan, Barbados, Kazakhstan, and Russia. He has served on numerous Public, Private and Not for Profit Boards across a number of industries.

Ross has been active on several industry Boards and committees including the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) and The Schulich School of Engineering Industry Advisory Council at the Schulich School of Engineering.

Photograph of WaterPortal Board Member Brian Mergelas

Brian Mergelas, PhD, ICD.D

Board Member

Brian is a seasoned Cleantech entrepreneur with a proven history of successfully bringing complex water technologies to the market.   With over 25 years of experience, he has led various organizations to achieve significant milestones in the industry. 

Having started as the founding CEO of the Pressure Pipe Inspection Company (PPIC) and later taking the helm at the Water Technology Acceleration Project (WaterTAP), Brian’s entrepreneurial spirit has been instrumental in driving innovation and growth within the sector. 

He is an active investor in the cleantech sector and has served on many boards including the Ontario Clean Water Agency. 

Actively engaged in industry associations like AWWA, WEF, IWA, and ASCE, Brian enjoys collaborating with fellow professionals to promote advancements in the field. 

Brian holds an undergraduate degree and a PhD in Physics from Queen’s University, which has provided him with a solid technical foundation.   As a member of the Institute of Corporate Directors, he brings valuable insights to corporate governance.