Dams

Dams are solid structures built across rivers to obstruct or divert the flow of water. Dams today are massive engineering superstructures of steel and concrete used to create water supply reservoirs and also generate hydro-electric power.The size and scale of some modern dams can create an adverse impact on the surrounding ecosystem and human settlements.

In ancient times, dams were used mainly to divert or obstruct flood water and protect harvests and habitations. Some dams from the Roman era or even earlier still exist and are functional today. Most ancient dams were gravity dams.
 

Dams are created not just by humans but animals. Beavers fell trees and branches across running streams or rivers to create a water reservoir around their underground homes.

By Cheryl Reynolds, Worth a Dam CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Water in Art: Music

The Water is Wide, thought to have originated from lines of an Irish folk song Carrickfergus. The version in the video is by the The Gothard Sisters, an American Celtic music group.

Water in Wild - 6

Tides

The gravitational pull of the moon and sun has an effect on Earth objects, but none so visible and spectacular as that on water.

The phenomenon of tides is caused by the gravitational forces drawing water from oceans and seas in different directions causing it to rise and ebb. High and low tides fill and empty coastal areas with more prominent effects taking place at the time  of full and new moons, the equinox and supermoons.

Tidal ranges record the difference between high and low tide levels on the shore. The highest tides are recorded at the Bay of Fundy in Canada.

 

 

Dikes and Levees

Dikes and Levees have existed in human civilization from ancient times. These structures natural or manmade, hold water back from adjoining land especially in low lying areas (below water level).

Levees are designed to hold back excess water running into and flooding otherwise dry land. Dikes on the other hand, are embankments designed to hold back water at all times.

‘God created the world, but the Dutch created Holland’ is a saying popular in the Netherlands for more than a 1000 years. Dikes, canals, dams and windmills protect the low lying Netherlands from being overrun with floods from rivers and the North Sea.


A dike in the Netherlands. Note the North Sea at a higher level on the left.



A levee in hurricane prone Florida in Southern USA. Photo: NPS



 

 

Water Fountains

Water fountains are a common sight throughout the world. Used in ancient times primarily as a source of water for drinking and washing, fountains of today are architectural and engineering marvels used for showpieces and a source of relaxation.

Ancient Romans were master builders of decorative fountains which are in existence today also.

The iconic Merlion fountain of Singapore (Own Photo)

Trevis Fountain in Rome-One of the oldest fountains in the world
Trevinight" by Wjh31 - Own work - http://lifeinmegapixels.com. Licensed under CC BY 3.0 via Commons  

 

Water in Art: Music (Flowing Water performed on Guqin)

Ancient composition High Mountain, Flowing Water performed on traditional Chinese musical instrument, the guqin.