Question

The world’s oldest dam is
A. Proserpina Dam
B. Kallanai Dam
C. Lake Homs Dam
D. Manoike Dam

Answer 1

Hint: A dam is a constructed or naturally occurring barrier that is built to restrict or regulate the water flow in large rivers or underground streams. It is created to serve the purpose of storage or collection of water so that it can be distributed between different locations.

Complete answer:
The dams are built for the purpose of water retention, storage and to use the water for various purposes such as irrigation, usage for industrial and domesticated use. The different structures in the dam such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions.
Lake Homs Dam is the oldest dam in the world. It is a Roman built dam which is situated near the city of Homs, Syria. It is also known as the Qattinah Dam. It is a 2km long and 7m high masonry gravity dam. It consists of a Roman concrete core which is protected by basalt rocks. The dam possesses a slightly pointed curvature as it follows the course of a long ridge of basalt. This feature of the dam resembles the arch dam. In 1938, the level of the dam was raised which increased the volume.
Proserpina Dam is located in the Badajoz(province), Extremadura, Spain. It is a Roman gravity dam and is dated to the 1st or 2nd century AD. The dam falls under as a part of the Archaeological Ensemble of Merida, an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kallanai Dam is an ancient dam. It is built across the Kaveri river which flows through the Tiruchirappalli District to the Thanjavur District. It was originally built during the reign of Chola king, Karikalan. It is the fourth oldest dams or water regulator structures in the world.
Manoike Dam is the seventh oldest dam in the world and it is located in the Kagawa Prefecture of Japan. It dates back to around 701- 704 AD. It holds more than 154 million cubic meters of water.

Hence, the correct answer is option (C).

Note: Dams are built on the rivers, streams, underground streams to serve the purpose of collection, storage as well as utilizing the water in specific areas for irrigational, domesticated or industrial use. The world oldest dam is the Lake Homs Dam, located in Homs, Syria.