What is the definition of a dam?
Webster’s Dictionary provides a very simple definition of a dam: a barrier built across a waterway to control the flow or raise the level of the water. A much more detailed definition is given in the Federal Guidelines for Dam Safety, which are followed by all Federal agencies responsible for the design, construction, operation, and regulation of dams. Any artificial barrier, including appurtent works, which impounds or diverts water, and which (1) is 25 feet or more in height from the natural bed of the stream or watercourse measured at the downstream toe of the barrier or from the lowest elevation of the outside limit of the barrier if it is not across a stream channel or watercourse, to the maximum water storage elevation or (2) has an impounding capacity at maximum water storage elevation of 50 acre feet or more. These guidelines do not apply to any such barrier which is not in excess of 6 feet in height regardless of storage capacity, or which has storage capacity at maximum water
