Rezervuarit

Rezervuarit, or reservoirs, are water storage systems formed by natural basins or, more commonly, man-made lakes created by damming rivers. They function as controlled storage facilities that can hold large quantities of fresh water for long periods. While natural basins may serve as storage, most large-scale reservoirs are artificial, designed to regulate inflows, store surplus water, and release it as needed.

A reservoir system consists of several key components: a dam or embankment that creates the storage basin, spillways to safely pass floodwaters, intake structures to control water leaving the reservoir, and outlet works or tunnels that feed water to treatment plants, irrigation canals, or hydropower facilities. Storage capacity is typically described as total capacity, active or live storage (water that can be withdrawn for use), and dead storage (water lying beneath the outlet level that cannot be released under normal operations). Sedimentation gradually reduces capacity over time and requires monitoring and, in some cases, dredging or sediment management strategies.

Uses and management often overlap. The primary purposes of reservoirs are water supply for domestic and industrial use, irrigation for agriculture, and generation of hydroelectric power. They also provide flood control, recreation, and habitat for wildlife. Effective management involves water quality monitoring, environmental assessments, and coordination among water authorities, power companies, and local communities. Safety considerations include dam safety programs, structural inspections, and emergency action plans to mitigate the risk of dam failure and downstream impacts.