Revision as of 13:17, 19 April 2013 by
***** (***** | *****)A dike normally runs along or parallel to a body of water such as a river or a sea, a dam runs across or through a body of water. A dike has water only on one side, a dam has water on both sides. The main purpose of a dike is protecting the land behind it from flooding (closing dike), whereas a dams' purpose is to retain the water.
Dikes and levees are embankments constructed to prevent flooding. Levees may be formed naturally or artificially. They prevent the water from overflowing and flooding surrounding areas.
Dikes are walls that hold back the sea. The land would be flooded if the dikes were broken down. The dikes were first built to reclaim land from the sea. In countries like Egypt and Bangladesh they will be needed, when the sea levels raise as it is predicted.
References
http://www.fao.org/DOCREP/006/T0165E/t0165e01.htm
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_difference_between_a_dike_and_a_dam
http://sustainablestormwater.org/2009/05/28/stormwater-101-detention-and-retention-basins/
GIZ (1975): Manual of reforestation and erosion control for the philippines.
GIZ (2000): Flood control measures. Best practices report. An approach for community based flood control measures in the terai rivers.
