Forebay (reservoir)

The Schleusegrund forebay and pre-dam, part of the Schönbrunn Dam system

A forebay is an artificial pool of water in front of a larger body of water. The larger body of water may be natural or man-made.[1]

Forebays have a number of functions. They are used in flood control to act as a buffer during flooding or storm surges, impounding water and releasing in a controlled way into the larger waterbody. They may be used upstream of reservoirs to trap sediment and debris (sometimes called a sediment forebay[2]) in order to keep the reservoir clean. This may entail the use of a forebay dam or pre-dam. They may also be used upstream of lakes to prevent siltation. Some forebays are used simply to create a natural habitat for flora and fauna, to counterbalance the environmental impact of a dam or reservoir. Forebays vary greatly in size depending on their situation and purpose.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 What is a Forebay? at www.wisegeek.com. Retrieved on 13 Jun 2013
  2. ↑ Sediment Forebays at www.greenworks.tv. Accessed on 14 Jun 2013


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