Reservoir

A natural or artificial body of stored water. Reservoirs supply water, regulate flows, support ecosystems, or provide storage for hydropower and flood control.

Dam: A barrier built across a river or other watercourse to retain or control water. Dams create many reservoirs and control how water enters and leaves them.
Water supply: The provision of water for domestic, industrial, and other uses. Reservoirs store water so supplies can continue through dry periods and demand peaks.
Reservoir stratification: The separation of reservoir water into layers with different temperatures and densities. Layering can limit mixing and create distinct oxygen and temperature conditions.
Lake Mead: A large reservoir on the Colorado River formed by Hoover Dam. It stores water for the southwestern United States and illustrates prolonged drought pressures.
Spillway: A structure that safely carries excess water away from a dam or reservoir. Spillways prevent water levels from rising beyond a dam’s safe capacity.
Hydroelectricity: Electricity generated by converting the energy of moving or falling water. Releases from reservoirs can drive turbines and generate electricity when needed.
Eutrophication: The enrichment of water with nutrients that can stimulate excessive plant and algal growth. Nutrient inputs and slow water turnover can trigger algal blooms in reservoirs.
Three Gorges Reservoir: The reservoir created by the Three Gorges Dam on China’s Yangtze River. Its scale links hydropower and flood management with extensive social and environmental change.
Reservoir operation: The planning and control of water releases and storage levels in a reservoir. Operating rules balance water supply, flood risk, and other competing demands.
Flood control: Measures that reduce the likelihood or severity of flooding. Reservoirs can temporarily hold runoff and reduce downstream flood peaks.

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