Obras de Captación: Water Capture and Management

Obras de Captación (Water Capture Works)

Dams

• Structures built across a river or stream to impound water
• Purposes:
  • Water storage for irrigation, drinking water, or industrial use
  • Flood control
  • Hydroelectric power generation
  • Recreation and fisheries
• Types:
  • Gravity dams
  • Arch dams
  • Embankment dams
  • Run-of-river dams

Reservoirs

• Artificially created lakes used to store water
• Functions:
  • Water storage for dry periods
  • Flood control
  • Hydroelectric power generation
  • Recreation and fisheries
• Characteristics:
  • Water level fluctuation
  • Water quality management
  • Ecosystem impact

Water Treatment

• Process of removing contaminants and pollutants from raw water
• Steps:
  1. Coagulation and flocculation
  2. Sedimentation
  3. Filtration
  4. Disinfection
• Treatment goals:
  • Remove suspended solids and turbidity
  • Eliminate pathogens and bacteria
  • Improve taste, odor, and color
  • Meet drinking water standards

Hydroelectric Power

• Generation of electricity from the energy of moving water
• Principles:
  • Potential energy of water converted to kinetic energy
  • Kinetic energy converted to electrical energy
• Types:
  • Impoundment hydroelectricity
  • Run-of-river hydroelectricity
  • Pumped storage hydroelectricity

Irrigation Systems

• Networks of canals, pipes, and pumps used to distribute water
• Purposes:
  • Agricultural irrigation
  • Landscape irrigation
  • Industrial processes
• Types:
  • Surface irrigation (gravity-fed)
  • Sprinkler irrigation (pressurized)
  • Drip irrigation (localized)
  • Micro-irrigation (precise water application)

Test your knowledge of water capture works, including dams, reservoirs, water treatment, hydroelectric power, and irrigation systems. Learn about the different types, purposes, and characteristics of these systems.