Vandreservoir

Vandreservoir is a Danish term referring to a water reservoir, a storage facility designed to hold fresh water for later use. Most reservoirs are created by constructing a dam across a river or by excavating a basin in suitable terrain. The stored water serves multiple purposes, including municipal drinking water supply, irrigation, industrial use, flood control, hydropower generation, and recreation.

A reservoir typically consists of several components. The dam or enclosing structure forms the physical barrier that creates storage space. Inlet works bring water into the reservoir, while outlet works release water for use or treatment. A spillway safely conveys surplus water during floods to prevent dam overtopping. Reservoir storage is described by total capacity, active storage (water that can be used), and dead storage (water below the outlet level where sediment may accumulate).

Operations involve managing inflows and releases to meet demand, maintain water quality for treatment and distribution, and handle sedimentation. Water treatment processes may be used when the reservoir supplies drinking water. Environmental considerations include maintaining ecological flows downstream, protecting aquatic habitats, and minimizing evaporation losses and nutrient loading that can affect water quality.

There are several types of reservoirs. Municipal or urban reservoirs provide drinking water; irrigation reservoirs support agricultural systems; and pumped-storage reservoirs store energy by moving water to a higher elevation during low-demand periods and releasing it through turbines when demand rises.

Dam safety is a central concern in reservoir management. Reservoirs are regulated with regular inspections, maintenance programs, and emergency action plans to mitigate the risks associated with dam failure and extreme weather events.