Dams: Glossary

B

barrier

Anything that blocks something from moving

buttress

wall

C

canyon

A steep sided valley caused by the movement of river water

complex

complicated

concrete

Stone-like material used for construction

E

earthen

Made of earth materials such as rocks, sand, soil

engineers

A person trained to design construction

F

flooding

Excess water

foundation

The underlying base

G

glacial ice

Ice found in glaciers

H

horizontal

Level with the ground

hydroelectric

Electricity created with the use of water

I

irrigation

Water moved from one place to another to grow crops

K

keyways

grooves

L

landslides

Land that shifts or slides due to water, earthquakes or other events

N

notches

grooves

P

pressure

pushing

R

recreation

Activities done for fun - swimming, skiing, fishing

regulated

To control or direct

reservoir

A man-made lake

T

turbines

A machine used to create electricity through the use of moving water