Gathright Dam

High school (ages 12+)
Science & Technology

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/gathright-dam

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. When was Gathright Dam built?1983
2. How tall is Gathright Dam?Approximately 200 feet (61 meters)
3. What is the location?Bath County, Virginia, USA, spanning the Jackson River
4. What is the dam type?Earth and rock-fill embankment
5. Where is Gathright Dam located?It is in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia, in Bath County, on the Jackson River.
6. Why was Gathright Dam built?It was built to control the river’s flow, keep water safe for people and animals, and give people a lake for fun and power.

Earth and Rock-Fill Embankment: A dam constructed from compacted soil and rock, designed for stability and integration with natural topography.
Hydrostatic Pressure: The pressure exerted by a fluid at equilibrium due to the force of gravity.
Lacustrine Ecosystem: An ecosystem found in a lake, characterized by still or slow-moving water.
Riparian Habitats: The interface between land and a river or stream, characterized by unique vegetation and wildlife.