How does a dam or hydropower project look like?

How does a dam look like? Is it built like other buildings and structures? How does it store water? Does every dam generate electricity? Why are dams built in mountainous areas?These are the sort of questions, engineers face from people when they go to project areas for data collection and investigations or they are discussing about water scarcity and energy crisis in general public or even when they share stories of their work with family members especially kids. I am sure that they do their best to explain in simple words about the concept of the dam and hydro power projects. But, honestly speaking, it needs many words to describe the concept involving imagery or abstract thoughts. Secondly, it is not only difficult but weird too to explain the geometry, construction and functioning of dam or hydropower in narrative (in words) to the people who do not belong to relative field of engineering. The old adage “A picture is worth a thousand words” certainly holds true in this scenario. In order to overcome the water scarcity and energy crisis, the Government of Pakistan has taken serious initiatives to construct mega dams and hydropower projects. The construction of Mohmand Dam Hydropower project, one of the mega project developed by WAPDA (Water And Power Development Authority) has been started. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has established “Supreme Court of Pakistan’s DiamerBhasha and Mohmand Dams Fund” for raising funds for the construction of DiamerBhasha and Mohmand Dams. The Fund shall receive donations/contributionsfrom general public, institutions, organizations etc via ATM, Debit/Credit Cardsand banks which shall be solely used for the purpose of construction of DiamerBhasha and Mohmand Dams.Most of dam-related fund raising campaign aired through media contains the static images of the already developed dams (mainly Tarbela&Mangla), animated movies of the running spillways of Tarbela&Mangla Dam projects. The media campaigns for fund raising for Mohmand&Basha Dams lack the visual depiction of these mega projects which appeals, attracts & motivate general public to contribute.This was the prime motive to construct physical 3D model of Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project which not only serves to enhance the understanding, concept, perception and function of the mega hydropower project to engineers but as well as it will help to inspire and motivate public to contribute and donate for the national cause.Secondly, we, as a nation cannot afford any controversy/compromise on any mega dam and hydro project now. The nation has already suffered a lot due to controversies on mega projects. Kalabagh dam is one of the major examples. The general public should have awareness about the importance as well as the complexity of the dam and hydropower projects. To accomplish this task, 3D modeling and construction of dioramas proved to be one of the vital tools. 3D modeling is a technique that’s used to create a 3D representation of any surface or object. Using the geo-spatial terrain data and the design documents & 2D drawings (Plans, L-Sections, Cross Sections etc) of the Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project, a 3D model was sculpted. 3D Printed Engineered Model of 800 MW Mohmand Dam Hydropower Project was prepared using the topographic data acquired by Aerial Mapping (DEM resolution: 17 cm) with all project components (Main CFRD Dam, Spillway, Diversion Intake & Outlet, Power Intake, Powerhouse, Coffer Dams, Switchyard, Access roads & Colony area and Right & Left Irrigation Tunnels Intakes) at physical scale of 1:2000 (1 cm = 20 meter). The model was prepared and presented by The Spatio, a leading engineering and geospatial consultancy firm of Pakistan. The Model was on display to public on 9th Asian Young Geotechnical Engineers Conference & 15th International Conference on Geotechnical Engineering at UET Lahore. The team from The Spatio was appreciated by participants, visitors & people from different sectors of industry specially Lt Gen (Retd) Muzammil Hussain Chairman WAPDA,Dr. Tahir Masood Managing Director, Nespak. Besides that, The Spatio presented 3D models of Shogosin Hydropower Project, Laspur Hydropower Project &Garuk Storage Dam Project, which were also eye catchers. The best outcome of the participation in the conference exhibition was the awareness, education and cognitive learning of the Civil Engineering students who visited The Spatio stall and got technical exposure to the mega dams and hydropower projects in Pakistan