dam failure
Wall gives way
Dam failure is the catastrophic breach or collapse of a dam structure, releasing the impounded water downstream.
Failure can result from structural defects, overtopping during floods, foundation problems, or poor maintenance.
The term covers both complete collapse and partial breaches that allow uncontrolled water release: The dam failure flooded towns for miles downstream.
Dam failure ranks among the deadliest infrastructure disasters.
Breaking of agreement
- structural collapseFramework giving way
- overtoppingExceeding the height of
- pipingTubes for fluid transport
- seepageSlow fluid escape
erosion · cracking · design flaw · overload · liquefaction · settlement · instrumentation · monitoring
Overwhelming surge of water
- flash floodRapid overflow from storms
- delugeSevere overflow of water
- surgeSudden powerful increase
- torrentViolent rushing flow
downstream flooding · submersion · overflow · floodplain · flood zone · water level · wall of water · flood warning
Large water storage basin
- embankmentRaised earth structure
- spillwayDam's water release structure
- leveeRiver flood barrier
- hydroelectricGenerated by flowing water
penstock · turbine · sluice gate · abutment · crest · upstream · downstream · storage capacity
Severe widespread destruction
- destructionAct of completely ruining
- tragedyDisastrous or sorrowful event
- calamitySevere misfortune or disaster
- fatalitiesLosses of life
casualties · displacement · evacuation · loss · suffering · grief · despair · survivors
Systematic disaster response coordination
- evacuation orderCommand to vacate area
- warning systemDetection and notification apparatus
- sirensEmergency vehicle noisemakers
- rescue operationsOrganized efforts to save endangered people
relief efforts · aid · shelter · first responders · National Guard · disaster declaration · FEMA · Red Cross
breach
Breaking of agreement
- structural collapseFramework giving way
- overtoppingExceeding the height of
- pipingTubes for fluid transport
seepage · erosion · cracking · design flaw · overload · liquefaction · settlement · instrumentation · monitoring · inspection
inundation
Overwhelming surge of water
- flash floodRapid overflow from storms
- delugeSevere overflow of water
- surgeSudden powerful increase
torrent · downstream flooding · submersion · overflow · floodplain · flood zone · water level · wall of water · flood warning · runoff
reservoir
Large water storage basin
- embankmentRaised earth structure
- spillwayDam's water release structure
- leveeRiver flood barrier
hydroelectric · penstock · turbine · sluice gate · abutment · crest · upstream · downstream · storage capacity
devastation
Severe widespread destruction
- destructionAct of completely ruining
- tragedyDisastrous or sorrowful event
- calamitySevere misfortune or disaster
fatalities · casualties · displacement · evacuation · loss · suffering · grief · despair · survivors · victims
emergency management
Systematic disaster response coordination
- evacuation orderCommand to vacate area
- warning systemDetection and notification apparatus
- sirensEmergency vehicle noisemakers
rescue operations · relief efforts · aid · shelter · first responders · National Guard · disaster declaration · FEMA · Red Cross · emergency planning
- disastersdisaster, earthquake, earthquakes, catastrophe, floods
- floodwaterflood waters, rising water, rising waters, muddy water, overflow
- damsbarrage, spillway, cofferdam, Shasta, Bonneville
- collapsescollapse, bridge collapse, roof collapse, wall collapse, cave-in
- water hazardsflash flood, river flood, coastal flooding, flooding, tsunami
- Droughtwater shortage, dry spell, dry spells, no rain, low rainfall
dam failurestructural integrity
Wholeness under load
structural stability · holding · watertight seal · standing · holding firm
dam, failure, failing, failed, dams, dammed, failures, damming, undammed