| Era | Ancient Greece, 19th and 20th centuries |
| Purpose | Stormwater management • Drinking water supply • Hydroelectric power generation • Irrigation |
| Design types | Arch dam • Gravity dam • Buttress dam • Embankment dam |
| Iconic examples | Hoover Dam • Three Gorges Dam • Aswan High Dam • Grand Coulee Dam |
| Environmental impact | Flooded land • Habitat fragmentation • Reduced river flow • Sedimentation • Ecosystem alteration |
| Construction materials | Concrete • Masonry • Steel • Earthen materials |
| Historical significance | Testament to human achievement and cooperation between nations |
