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An Embankment
	Dam
Wolf Creek Dam
photo courtesy of the Nashville District,
US Army Corps of Engineers (#)

(click for a full sized photo)

An Introduction to
Embankment Dams

Embankment dams are massive dams made of earth or rock.

They rely on their weight to resist the flow of water.

Explore the links below to learn more about embankment dams.

The Anatomy
What do embankment dams look like? How are embankment dams different from the other types of dams?

How it Works
How do embankment dams hold back water?

A Brief History
What were embankment dams like centuries ago? How have embankment dams evolved?

Gravity dam historyEmbankment dam anatomy