How a Dam Changes The Topography of a River

When a dam is constructed across a river, it fundamentally alters the topography and hydrology of the surrounding environment. Upstream, water accumulates to form a reservoir, submerging valleys and changing natural elevation gradients. Downstream, sediment flow is interrupted, riverbanks can erode, and ecosystems reliant on the river’s natural flow are disrupted. One striking fact: the Hoover Dam reduced sediment flow in the Colorado River by over 90%, transforming landscapes hundreds of miles downstream.

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