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==Construction, operations & maintenance==
[[Image:WomenBuilding Dam.jpg|thumb|right|350px| [http://www.wfp.org/countries/uganda/media/karamoja-livelihoods Women construct surface dams in Ka’abong district.] Using food or cash incentives, WFP (World Food Programme) encourages communities to build productive physical assets and gain skills for protecting and regenerating the environment, enhancing nutrition and harvesting water.]]
====Building the dam====
'''General advice on cement''': A common cause of cracks in structures and linings (e.g. in tanks, dams, waterways, wells) is errors in mixing and applying the cement. First of all, it is important that only pure ingredients are used: clean water, clean sand, clean rocks. The materials have to be mixed very thoroughly. Secondly, the amount of water during mixing needs to minimal: the concrete or cement needs to be just workable, on the dry side even, and not fluid. Thirdly, it is essential that during curing the cement or concrete is kept moist at all times, for at least a week. Structures should be covered with plastic, large leaves or other materials during the curing period, and kept wet regularly.
'''Specific advice'''
Reservoir size and dam height can be decided according to water demand, evaporation losses, length of critical period and average rainfall. For a full list of methods to determine your dam’s size, visit CARE: Nederlands Desk study Resilient WASH systems in drought prone areas (page 62).