About Dams
Back to TypesTypes of Dam - Arch Dam
Monar Dam in Scotland
Arch dams are made from concrete. They are curved in the shape of an arch, with the top of the arch pointing back into the water. An arch is a strong shape for resisting the pushing force of the water behind the dam. Arch dams are usually constructed in narrow, steep sided valleys. They need good rock for their foundations, and for the sides of the valleys, to resist the forces on the dam.
There are only a few arch dams in the UK, including Monar Dam in Scotland.
