The hydroelectric power plant reservoir is the enlarged lake behind the dam structure and is responsible for the storage of water. During the course of heavy rainfalls, the water flow exceeds the storage capacity of the reservoir. In order to avoid a dam against damages, surplus water should be discharged.
A structure called spillways is used to discharge the surplus water from the storage reservoir into the river on the downstream side of the dam. Spillways are made of concrete piers on the top of the dam. Gates are installed between these piers and surplus water is discharged over the crest of the dam by opening these gates.
Also see: Hydroelectric Power Plant
See below the working of different types of spillway Gates
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