What is a wing dam?

A wing dam is a man-made structure built perpendicular to the flow of a river or stream. It is typically constructed of rocks or concrete and extends from the bank of the river out towards the middle of the channel. Its purpose is to divert the flow of the water towards the main channel, creating deeper and swifter flows that are beneficial for navigation, irrigation and flood control. The downstream side of the wing dam creates a scour hole, which can provide habitat for fish and other aquatic species. However, wing dams can also disrupt natural river processes, such as sediment transport and erosion, and can impact the river ecosystem. Proper planning and management should be implemented to minimize the negative impacts of wing dams on the river environment.