Dams and Reservoirs

Dams and Reservoirs A dam is any barrier that holds back water; dams are primarily used to save, manage, and/or prevent the flow of excess water into specific regions. In addition, some dams are used to generate hydropower. This article examines man-made dams but dams can also be created by natural causes like mass wasting events or even animals like the beaver. Another term often used when discussing dams is reservoir. A reservoir is a man-made lake that is primarily used for storing water. They can also be defined as the specific bodies of water formed by the construction of a dam. For example, the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in California’s Yosemite National Park is the body of water created and held back by the O’Shaughnessy Dam. Types of Dams One of the most common types of major dams is the arch dam. These masonry or concrete dams are ideal for narrow and/or rocky locations because their curved shape easily holds back water via gravity without the need for a lot of construction materials. Arch dams can have one large single arch or they can have multiple small arches separated by concrete buttresses. The Hoover Dam which is on the border of the U.S. states of Arizona and Nevada is an arch dam. Another type of dam is the buttress dam. These can have multiple arches, but unlike a traditional arch dam, they can be flat as well. Normally buttress dams are made of concrete and feature a series braces called buttresses along the downstream side of the dam to prevent the natural flow of water. The Daniel-Johnson Dam in Quebec, Canada is a multiple arch buttress dam. In the U.S., the most common type of dam is the embankment dam. These are large dams made out of soil and rock which use their weight to hold back water. To prevent water from moving through them, embankment dams also have a thick waterproof core. The Tarbela Dam in Pakistan is the world’s largest embankment dam. Finally, gravity dams are huge dams that are constructed to hold back water using only their own weight. To do this, they are constructed using extensive amounts of concrete, making them difficult and expensive to build. The Grand Coulee Dam in the U.S. state of Washington is a gravity dam. Types of Reservoirs and Construction The first and usually largest type of reservoir is called a valley dammed reservoir. These are reservoirs that are located in narrow valley areas where tremendous amounts of water can be held in by the valley’s sides and a dam. The best location for a dam in these types of reservoirs is where it can be built into the valley wall most effectively to form a water tight seal. To construct a valley dammed reservoir, the river must be diverted, usually through a tunnel, at the start of work. The first step in creating this type of reservoir is the pouring of a strong foundation for the dam, after which construction on the dam itself can begin. These steps can take months to years to complete, depending on the size and complexity of the project. Once finished, the diversion is removed and the river is able to flow freely toward the dam until it gradually fills the reservoir. Dam Controversy In addition, the creation of a reservoir requires the flooding of large areas of land, at the expense of the natural environment and sometimes villages, towns and small cities. The construction of China’s Three Gorges Dam, for example, required the relocation of over one million people and flooded many different archaeological and cultural sites. Main Uses of Dams and Reservoirs Another major use of dams is power generation as hydroelectric power is one of the world’s major sources of electricity. Hydropower is generated when the potential energy of the water on the dam drives a water turbine which in then turns a generator and creates electricity. To best make use of the water’s power, a common type of hydroelectric dam uses reservoirs with different levels to adjust the amount of energy generated as it is needed. When demand is low for instance, water is held in an upper reservoir and as demand increases, the water is released into a lower reservoir where it spins a turbine. Some other important uses of dams and reservoirs include a stabilization of water flow and irrigation, flood prevention, water diversion and recreation. To learn more about dams and reservoirs visit PBSs Dams Site. Rogun - 1,099 feet (335 m) in TajikistanNurek - 984 feet (300 m) in TajikistanGrande Dixence - 932 feet (284 m) in SwitzerlandInguri - 892 feet (272 m) in GeorgiaBoruca - 876 feet (267 m) in Costa RicaVaiont - 860 feet (262 m) in ItalyChicoasà ©n - 856 feet (261 m) in MexicoTehri - 855 feet (260 m) in Indialvaro Abregà ³n - 853 feet (260 m) in MexicoMauvoisin - 820 feet (250 m) in SwitzerlandLake Kariba - 43 cubic miles (180 km ³) in Zambia and ZimbabweKuybyshev Reservoir - 14 cubic miles (58 km ³) in Russia

6 Networking Tips for Teachers in a Tough Job Market

6 Networking Tips for Teachers in a Tough Job Market The job market is a pretty brutal place for new teachers these days. There are a ton of teaching grads out there and not a lot of jobs. You might get lucky and get a job from placement, but if you don’t, you’ll be out there on the hunt. What you may not have realized is just how important networking will end up being for your job search process. You probably don’t even feel as though you have much of a network to network with at this point! But here are a few tips and strategies for making the best of where you are, and building up a network that will not only help you get  hired but will keep your early career afloat.1. Apply to places you really want to work.No one will pluck your file out of the pile if it looks like you’re applying there just as you would anywhere, with no special interest in the gig. Start early and show up at schools for visits. Ask for information. The good ones will reward your interest and be impressed by your initiative.2. Join a union.Teachers’ unions are your friends. Join up. Go to the meetings. Attend conferences. You’ll meet tons of educators this way and some of them will even be in a position to hire you, once they have you on their radar. The American Federation of  Teachers (AFT) is free for student teachers to join, so you have no excuse. Get in there and start asking your elders for advice!3. Seek out like-minded groups of professionals.Join teacher groups or meet-ups. Stay in touch with former colleagues- plus professors and counselors you’ve worked with in the course of your educational career. Get business cards and make sure you’re giving yours out too. Network your little teacher bottom off and eventually, something good will come of it; the more connections you have, the better off you’ll be.There are even plenty of online forums for you to check-out if your time or geographical location is limited. And while you’re at it, go to education-relate d community events to meet your fellow teaching geeks.4. Volunteer to get noticed.Volunteer at a school you want to work for, whether in athletics or just doing grunt work for your Associate Teacher. This shows your dedication and interest. Just be sure to commit to your commitment- flaking out will never get you hired. Volunteering is also a great way for you to explore areas of education to which you might not have otherwise been exposed. Who knows, maybe you’ll find an area to pursue that you might not previously have considered.5. Consider relief teaching.A lot of new teachers say they built up a reputation by doing relief teaching. It never hurts to get out there and pinch hit- particularly when you can be a hero. Get yourself on the rosters of several schools and keep on networking. This is especially great if fall rolls around and you still don’t have a permanent gig.6. Keep an open mind.Remember, you don’t know where your next job will come from. It can often come from the least expected corner of your network. Never turn down a connection because you can’t see how a job could come of it. Embrace everyone and keep your mind open and your resume ready to circulate and you’ll do fine.