Check Dam
Type: Approaches
Creation: 2009-01-28 00:00 Updated: 2017-07-09 16:37
Compilers: Haiyan WEI
Reviewers: David Streiff
Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied
- Country: China
- Region/ State/ Province: Shanxi, Beijing
- Further specification of location (e.g. municipality, town, etc.), if relevant: Xifeng
- Map: View Map
Description of the SLM Approach
Short description of the Approach
Check dam is a kind of sediment storage dam of 5m below and is built in channels to control the down cutting of channel bed.
Detailed description of the Approach
Aims / objectives: Xifeng county is one of the key areas of soil erosion control in China. In order to reduce the local soil erosion, and also to bring certain economic benefits to local residents, the Ministry of Water Resources is in charge of check dam construction activities.
Check dam is widely used in controlling soil erosion. The training is a main approach to promotion of the check dam technology. It is necessary to mobilize local people to participate in construction, while providing to them some cash subsidies. In such a way local people can get economic benefits, and strengthen their awareness and
knowledge of soil and water conservation.
Methods: Main objectives: (1) Elevating erosion basis of channel bed to prevent the channel down cutting and channel bank expansion, and decrease channel gradient. (2) Storing silt and reducing the amount of sediment, transported into the rivers. (3) Decreasing channel flow rates and reducing the flood risk of the lower reaches. (4) Debris flow control by use of strong permanent check dams. (5) Making channel silted to form sediment-covered terraces for future use.
Stages of implementation: Implemetation procedure: (1) site selection and design; (2) material preparation, labor recruitment and temporary road buliding; (3) main project construction.
Other important information: The construction cost of check dam is determined by project quality requirements, difficulty of construction, work size, construction technology, and some other factors. Regional factors have also an important impact. Therefore, the investment is mainly made by government with local supporting funds. Check dam construction is often
associated with plant cultivation, aquaculture design and other measures to make comprehensive use of sediment retention and water storage. It can increase agricultural productivity and farmers’ income in addition to improve local environment.
Photos of the Approach
