Reservoirs or Dams:
In certain places where there are not enough water sources for the correct supply of homes, companies or businesses, it is common to have reservoirs, which also allow to water to be harvested and have the vital liquid in critical summer periods. This is why the use of reservoirs or tanks guarantees a permanent availability of water.
The objective of the reservoirs is to have a physical space to store part of the water that enters the field in order to permanently supply water to its users. In their design, the volume of water necessary to supply water to the productive systems is contemplated. Then, the water is delivered through irrigation networks or systems, conducting the pressurised water through pipes and in small doses and periodically.
Having reservoirs and drip irrigation equipment makes it possible to improve water management, to overcome periods of water crisis and to achieve application efficiency values close to 90%, making it possible to maintain or even increase the irrigated area with the same or less water availability.
Reservoirs are built to:
- regulate the flow of a river or stream, store water from wet periods for use during drier periods;
- generate electrical energy;
- irrigate crops;
- supply drinking water to the population (human consumption);
- industrial use
- allow navigation;
- dilute polluting substances;
- contain and attenuate extreme flood flows (flood control function);
- create spaces for recreation and water sports.
Bibliography
¿CÓMO FUNCIONAN LOS EMBALSES?. 2020. EPM. | https://www.epm.com.co/site/Portals/0/Como%20funcionan%20los%20embalses.docx
Manual de especificación técnicas para la elaboración de estructuras de captación de agua de lluvia (SCALL) en el sector agropecuario de Costa Rica y recomendaciones para su utilización. 2010. Adolfo Salinas Acosta, Rigoberto Rodriguez Quirós, David Morales Hidalgo. -- Nicoya: Universidad Nacional, CEMEDE. | http://www.mag.go.cr/biblioteca_virtual/bibliotecavirtual/a00273.pdf
Referencies
Sitio del Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria de Argentina, que da ejemplos de reservirios de agua | https://inta.gob.ar/noticias/reservorios-de-agua-y-riego-por-goteo-en-producciones-horticolas