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The answer depends on what you mean by "better", in other words, what your purpose is.
The answer also depends on the dam sites and other factors such as construction cost. Lets assume you are talking about dams on a uniform valley, and that we ignore other factors such as construction expense.
If the dams are to control erosion, then probably two dams are as good as one.
If the dams are to provide a reservoir of drinking water, then its easy to see that one dam holds more water: just think of replacing the downstream small dam with the big dam (whose top is at greater elevation than the top of the upstream small dam) and you can visualize it holds more water than the two small dams.)
If the dams are to generate electricity, then loosely speaking, one large dam is equivalent to two small dams. This is true only if the water of the lower dam reaches the base of the upper small dam. Then the equivalent volume of water goes through both the pair of small dams and the large dam, and the sum of the heads of the two small dams equals the head of the large dam, so the generated electricity is the same.
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Are their dams in botswana?
on the Metsemotlhaba River, for example, there more than 700 small dams serving a variety of purposes
When choosing wheeled luggage, are small or larger wheels better?
Large wheels will be better because they're more sturdy and can hold large loads.
Advantages of small cars or large cars?
Small cars will cost less, get better mileage, easier to park, and fun to drive. Large cars will ride better, carry a bigger load, are more comfortable, and have more luxury features.
Can many small dams replace a large dam?
It depends on the physical features on the river. In some places it may be possible to do so. However is is far more economical to build a large dam than several smaller ones.
Why are smaller dams better than bigger dams?
The answer there is more pressure on smaller dams which creates MORE electricity. +++ Sorry but that makes no sense. The electricity generated depends on rate of flow and head available, not on dam size. In fact the higher the dam the greater the head (depth hence water-pressure at the turbine), though this can be increased still further by piping the water to a power-station situated further down the valley instead of at the dam foot. A more useful advantage of a smaller dam is its smaller environmental effect.
Why is a specialized group of small cells better than one large cell with the same volume one large?
It has more cell structures
Why is a specialized group of small cells better than a large cell with the same volume?
It has more cell structures
Is a wedding chapel a better setting for a small family wedding than a large church?
Whether or not a wedding chapel is a better setting for a small family wedding than a large church is really a matter of preference. Chapel weddings tend more cozy and casual than large church weddings.
Why is a specialized group of small cells better than one large cell with same volume?
It has more cell structures
Why is a specialized group of small cells better than one large cells with the same volume?
It has more cell structures
How many large dams are there in the world?
According to the definition of Dam Industry, any dam that is greater than 15 meters in height is classified as large dam. Based on this criteria, the number of large dams globally is estimated to be more than 40,000. China with 19,000 large dam is number one followed by the US with 5,500 large dams. The rate of large dam construction at present is much lower than two decades ago in recognition to their social, ecological and maintenance costs.
How many dams does China have?
A study by the World Commission on Dams placed China's large dam total at over 22,000-the most in the world. Large dams are those roughly four stories or taller. Most of China's were built after 1949. And as the study points out, that translates into one large dam built per day, every day since the emergence of modern China. Overall, China is believed to have more than 80,000 dams. Flood control and irrigation are China's top two purposes for building large dams like the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River and the Xiaolangdi Dam on the Yellow River. The United States has about 75,000 total dams (over 25 feet high). According to the Association of Dam Safety Officials the average number of dams per state is 1,800. Kansas leads all states with about 9,900 dams.
