| Lake Homs Dam [1] | |
|---|---|
 Downstream view of Lake Homs Dam in 1921 | |
| Location | near Homs, Syria |
| Coordinates | 34°39′45″N36°37′04″E / 34.662604°N 36.617836°E |
| Opening date | 284 AD |
| Dam and spillways | |
| Height | 7 m |
| Length | 2000 m |
| Width (base) | 20 m |
| Reservoir | |
| Creates | Lake Homs |
| Total capacity | 90 million m3 |
| Today 200 million m3 | |
The Lake Homs Dam, also known as Qattinah Dam, is a Roman-built dam near the city of Homs, Syria, which is in use to this day.
Contrary to an older hypothesis which tentatively linked the origins of the dam to Egyptian ruler Sethi (1319–1304 BC), the structure dates to 284 AD when it was built by the Roman emperor Diocletian (284–305 AD) for irrigation purposes. [2] With a capacity of 90 million m3, it is considered the largest Roman reservoir in the Near East [3] and might have even been the largest artificial reservoir constructed up to that time. [4] Remarkably, the reservoir has suffered very little silting since. [5]
The 2 km long and 7 m high masonry gravity dam consists of a Roman concrete core protected by basalt blocks. [6] The slightly pointed curvature of the dam follows the course of a long ridge of basalt and thus bears only superficial resemblance to an arch dam. [6]
In 1938, the level of the dam was raised[ vague ], increasing the volume of water the artificial lake holds to 200 million m3. [7]
A dam is a barrier that stops or restricts the flow of surface water or underground streams. Reservoirs created by dams not only suppress floods but also provide water for activities such as irrigation, human consumption, industrial use, aquaculture, and navigability. Hydropower is often used in conjunction with dams to generate electricity. A dam can also be used to collect or store water which can be evenly distributed between locations. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions.
Ancient Roman architecture adopted the external language of classical ancient Greek architecture for the purposes of the ancient Romans, but was different from Greek buildings, becoming a new architectural style. The two styles are often considered one body of classical architecture. Roman architecture flourished in the Roman Republic and to an even greater extent under the Empire, when the great majority of surviving buildings were constructed. It used new materials, particularly Roman concrete, and newer technologies such as the arch and the dome to make buildings that were typically strong and well engineered. Large numbers remain in some form across the former empire, sometimes complete and still in use today.
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Dara or Daras was an important East Roman fortress city in northern Mesopotamia on the border with the Sassanid Empire. Because of its great strategic importance, it featured prominently in the Roman-Persian conflicts. The former archbishopric remains a multiple Catholic titular see. Today, the village of Dara, in the Mardin Province occupies its location.
Ancient Roman technology is the collection of techniques, skills, methods, processes, and engineering practices which supported Roman civilization and made possible the expansion of the economy and military of ancient Rome.
Lake Homs is a lake near Homs, Syria, fed by the Orontes River. The Orontes is also the lake's main outflow. The lake is 15 km (9.3 mi) from the city of Homs, and spans over 60 km2 (23 sq mi).
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The Proserpina Dam is a Roman gravity dam built to supply water to the Roman colonia of Emerita Augusta –present-day Mérida, Spain–, capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. It was built in the 1st–2nd century AD as part of the infrastructure which supplied water to the city through the aqueduct of the Miracles. After the fall of the Roman Empire, the aqueduct fell into decay, but the earth dam with retaining wall is still in use.
The Alcantarilla Dam is a Roman gravity dam built to supply water to the Roman city of Toletum –present-day Toledo, Spain–, in the Roman province of Hispania Tarraconensis. It was built in the 2nd century BC on a tributary of the River Tagus. Currently in ruins, it is located in present-day Mazarambroz (Toledo). It is believed to be the oldest dam in Spain, and is possibly the oldest known Roman dam.
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The Subiaco Dams were a group of three Roman gravity dams at Subiaco, Lazio, Italy, devised as pleasure lakes for Emperor Nero. The biggest one was the highest dam in the Roman Empire, and even in the world until its accidental destruction in 1305.
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The Dara Dam was a Roman arch dam at Dara in Mesopotamia, a rare pre-modern example of this dam type. The modern identification of its site is uncertain, but may rather point to a common gravity dam.
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The Band-e Kaisar, Pol-e Kaisar, Bridge of Valerian or Shadirwan was an ancient arch bridge in the city of Shushtar, Khuzestan province, Iran, and the first in the country to combine it with a dam. Built by the Sassanids during the 3rd century CE, using Roman prisoners of war as the workforce, it is the easternmost example of Roman bridge design and Roman dam. Its dual-purpose design exerted a profound influence on Iranian civil engineering and was instrumental in developing Sassanid water management techniques.
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