Dams : Crests

Raising the crest-height of an earth embankment dam reduces the incidence of overtopping (water going over the top of the embankment).

GaMabintane, Limpopo, South Africa - Client : Africare SA - Designed and built by Dams for Africa, November 2002

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(1) Before : The crest of the 'Village dam', an earth embankment dam, was uneven, and had low spots where flood waters concentrated - resulting in substantial erosion of the embankment's downstream slope.

(2) After : The crest of the 'Village dam' was both raised and made level by casting a concrete strip on top of the embankment. The freeboard has been increased by approximately 300mm through this action, and hence the capacity of the spillway.