Question

What is the main difference between a dam and weir?

(a) Height and Duration of Storage

(b) Capacity of Water

(c) Material used for Construction

(d) Location of the Structure

The question was asked by my school principal while I was bunking the class.

I'm obligated to ask this question of Diversion Head Works in chapter Diversion Head Works, Hydraulic Jump Usefulness in Irrigation Structure of Irrigation Engineering

Answer 1

Right choice is (a) Height and Duration of Storage

To elaborate: Weir is an obstruction across the river to raise its water level and divert into new channel. It can also store water for short duration of time of short supplies, known as storage weir. The only main difference between dam and weir is that dam can store water comparatively for longer duration than weir and the dam is at more height than the weir.