ダム

From English "dam." Refers to a barrier built across a river to hold back water, creating a reservoir (貯水池(ちょすいち)).

COMMON EXPRESSIONS:

• ダムを建設(けんせつ)する: to construct a dam
• ダムの放流(ほうりゅう): water release from a dam
• ダム湖(こ): reservoir, dam lake
• 水力(すいりょく)ダム: hydroelectric dam
• 多目的(たもくてき)ダム: multipurpose dam

IN JAPAN:
Dams serve multiple purposes: 水道(すいどう) (water supply), 治水(ちすい) (flood control), and 発電(はつでん) (power generation). Famous dams include 黒部(くろべ)ダム in 富山県(とやまけん). Dam tourism (ダム巡(めぐ)り) has become a popular hobby, with collectible "dam cards" (放流(ほうりゅう)カード) available at many sites.