Your Dam Your Responsibility (PDF~1.2MB)

10 Glossary of Terms
Monitoring Recording of data from measuring devices and visual
observations to check the performance and behavioural trends of
a dam and appurtenant structures.
Optimum Moisture
Content
This is the moisture content of earthen material with suitable clay
content at which the best compaction can be easily achieved.
(This is the general meaning. In the case of a particular soil, the
Optimum Moisture Content is defined by a special standard
laboratory test).
Organic Material Silt or clay containing plant remains. It has low bearing capacity
and is compressible when it rots.
Outlet Works The combination of screen, intake structure, conduit, tunnel,
control valves and meters that permit controlled release of water
from the dam.
Owner Any person, company or authority owning, leasing or occupying
the land on which a dam is constructed or proposed to be
constructed.
Permeability Property of a soil that allows the movement of water through its
connecting pore spaces.
Piping Establishment of a seepage path through an earthen
embankment resulting in erosion material caused by the flow of
water.
Remedial Work The work required to repair, strengthen, re-construct, improve
or modify an existing dam, appurtenant works, foundations,
abutments or surrounding area to provide an adequate margin of
safety.
Reservoir A dam or an artificial lake, pond or basin for storage, regulation
and control of water, silt, debris or other liquid or liquid-carried
material.
Reservoir Capacity The total storage capacity of the reservoir or dam up to Full
Supply Level (not up to flood level).
SES State Emergency Service.
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Seepage The exit of reservoir water by percolation through, under or
around the dam.
Spillway An open channel, weir, conduit, tunnel or other structure
designed to allow discharges from the dam when water levels
rise above the full supply level directing flow downstream of
the toe of the dam. The spillway is principally to discharge flood
flows safely past a dam without overtopping the embankment.
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