Small Dam Design and Construction for Sustainable Water Resources Management: A Comprehensive Review

Small dams are crucial in water resource management, particularly in regions with water scarcity and climate unpredictability. Despite their cost-effectiveness, the construction of small dams often lacks engineering standards, which raises concerns about their long-term stability and safety. This st...

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Main Authors: Abdalmajeed Mohammed Rahman, Nawbahar Faraj Mustafa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of Human Development 2025-03-01
Series:UHD Journal of Science and Technology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.uhd.edu.iq/index.php/uhdjst/article/view/1442
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author Abdalmajeed Mohammed Rahman
Nawbahar Faraj Mustafa
author_facet Abdalmajeed Mohammed Rahman
Nawbahar Faraj Mustafa
author_sort Abdalmajeed Mohammed Rahman
collection DOAJ
description Small dams are crucial in water resource management, particularly in regions with water scarcity and climate unpredictability. Despite their cost-effectiveness, the construction of small dams often lacks engineering standards, which raises concerns about their long-term stability and safety. This study reviews the design, construction, stability, and protection of small dams, emphasizing the importance of proper site selection, geological and hydrological studies, and advanced methodologies, such as Geographic Information Systems and multi-criteria decision-making approaches in dam evaluation. Furthermore, the study highlights the significance of detailed planning, material selection, and quality construction to ensure dam longevity. It also discusses the role of modern tools, such as HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, and GeoStudio in assessing flood risks, seepage, and stability. Inadequate design, particularly in the face of extreme weather events, can lead to dam failures, emphasizing the need for comprehensive planning and rigorous assessments. Through an analysis of various studies and case examples, this paper aims to provide insights into sustainable small dam construction and water resources management practices that ensure their effectiveness and resilience in addressing water scarcity challenges.
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publishDate 2025-03-01
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spelling doaj-art-5d858df013a14ede9abddc0bd14d68822025-08-20T01:48:48ZengUniversity of Human DevelopmentUHD Journal of Science and Technology2521-42092521-42172025-03-0191556410.21928/uhdjst.v9n1y2025.pp55-641575Small Dam Design and Construction for Sustainable Water Resources Management: A Comprehensive ReviewAbdalmajeed Mohammed Rahman0Nawbahar Faraj Mustafa1Department of Water Resources Engineering, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, IraqDepartment of Water Resources Engineering, University of Sulaimani, Sulaymaniyah, IraqSmall dams are crucial in water resource management, particularly in regions with water scarcity and climate unpredictability. Despite their cost-effectiveness, the construction of small dams often lacks engineering standards, which raises concerns about their long-term stability and safety. This study reviews the design, construction, stability, and protection of small dams, emphasizing the importance of proper site selection, geological and hydrological studies, and advanced methodologies, such as Geographic Information Systems and multi-criteria decision-making approaches in dam evaluation. Furthermore, the study highlights the significance of detailed planning, material selection, and quality construction to ensure dam longevity. It also discusses the role of modern tools, such as HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, and GeoStudio in assessing flood risks, seepage, and stability. Inadequate design, particularly in the face of extreme weather events, can lead to dam failures, emphasizing the need for comprehensive planning and rigorous assessments. Through an analysis of various studies and case examples, this paper aims to provide insights into sustainable small dam construction and water resources management practices that ensure their effectiveness and resilience in addressing water scarcity challenges.https://journals.uhd.edu.iq/index.php/uhdjst/article/view/1442small dam constructionwater resource managementstability analysisconstruction practicessite selectionhydrology
spellingShingle Abdalmajeed Mohammed Rahman
Nawbahar Faraj Mustafa
Small Dam Design and Construction for Sustainable Water Resources Management: A Comprehensive Review
UHD Journal of Science and Technology
small dam construction
water resource management
stability analysis
construction practices
site selection
hydrology
title Small Dam Design and Construction for Sustainable Water Resources Management: A Comprehensive Review
title_full Small Dam Design and Construction for Sustainable Water Resources Management: A Comprehensive Review
title_fullStr Small Dam Design and Construction for Sustainable Water Resources Management: A Comprehensive Review
title_full_unstemmed Small Dam Design and Construction for Sustainable Water Resources Management: A Comprehensive Review
title_short Small Dam Design and Construction for Sustainable Water Resources Management: A Comprehensive Review
title_sort small dam design and construction for sustainable water resources management a comprehensive review
topic small dam construction
water resource management
stability analysis
construction practices
site selection
hydrology
url https://journals.uhd.edu.iq/index.php/uhdjst/article/view/1442
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