What are the favorable and unfavorable factors for the construction of dam

and reservoir in the Caldew valley, and why?

Dam
A dam is just a wall which is constructed on the path of water to raise its level at upstream. A dam
can of be many types depends upon its mode of construction and location of its structural
formation.
Reservoir
A reservoir is a lake (which me be artificial and it can be natural) which is used as a medium for
the supply on water. It usually started from the dam. It has many purposes, but main purpose of
reservoir is that it uses for the irrigation purposes, water storage, flood control and for the water
supply.
Favorable Factors for the Construction of Dam and Reservoir
The valley was eroded by glacial meltwater, i.e. volumes of flow inconceivable today. The river
follows the bottom of the slope on one side, so that there is a steeper slope with more bare rock.
The path is on a ‘floodplain’ of alluvial sediments and the slopes on this side are not subject to
continuing river erosion so pieces of limestone that fall off due to mechanical weathering (tree
roots expanding cracks or water freezing and expanding cracks) accumulate at the base of the slope
and form a talus (or ‘scree’) deposit, i.e. a pile of loose rocks.
Topography of the site is favorable for the construction of dam as it contains ingenious rocks which
are the strongest rocks as for strength aspect. Most suitable site for the dam construction is at label
11 of this diagram.
The valley was eroded by glacial meltwater, i.e. volumes of flow inconceivable today. The river
follows the bottom of the slope on one side, so that there is a steeper slope with more bare rock.
The path is on a ‘floodplain’ of alluvial sediments and the slopes on this side are not subject to
continuing river erosion so pieces of limestone that fall off due to mechanical weathering (tree
roots expanding cracks or water freezing and expanding cracks) accumulate at the base of the slope
and form a talus (or ‘scree’) deposit, i.e. a pile of loose rocks.
The dam can be built as masonry gravity dam, its stability provided by its self-weight. It is curved
in plan, but this does not make it an arch.
The dam can be built on a ridge of rock of the Borrowdale Volcanic Series (BVS) within the valley
floor, which allowed a small dam to create a large reservoir.
These rocks are impermeable with no bedding and few joints.
The Borrowdale Volcanic Series is the middle geological zone in the Lake District and
Haweswater Dam is built on the same rock.
As it contains less cross-sectional area for the dam structure formation which is very good for the
economy point of view.
Rocks are very strong at this site. These rocks will be crushed for their use in the material of dam
construction.
Gravel foundation will be suitable for the concrete dam.
River embankment are gabions which are very strong, and they will reduce the corrosion on sides
of river.
Zone of the site is not critical in terms of earthquake.
Spillway location and size is very suitable as the rock on the side of valley are of adequate height.
Unfavorable Factors for the Construction of Dam and Reservoir
Valleys cut or modified by glaciers show a U-shaped cross section, whereas river valleys make a
more V-shaped cut. The valley shape may be modified by other processes after formation, so that
an original V shape is widened or infilled, or a V is cut into the bottom of a U. This will take a lot
of cost.
Infrastructure such that car park, Barrage, weir will get effected by the construction of dam.
Geological conditions at the lower end of the valley are not suitable for the construction of
reservoir and dam as they are sedimentary rocks and they cannot have the ability for the reservoir
water to sustain.
The river here follows the line of the North Craven Fault, the rocks across the river are at lower
side than of Southside. The fault will provide a line of weakness in the rocks that the river exploited
to form this bit of the valley. This will also affect the Dam structure.
The draw-off tower is a mock castle, halfway down the lake, on the same side as the road.
Further on, the spillway drops down into a tunnel through the rocky hill beneath the road near the
western end of the dam.