* Ensure they are not built in an area where water will bypass the structure. Riverbanks should be equal in height and tall enough (height of dam + height of flood +10%), and dam should not be constructed near the bend in a river.
* Site where river is narrower, so that construction is cheaper.
{{procontable | pro=
- Can assist recharge of shallow wells <br>
- Can reduce salinity in groundwater <br>
- Reduces velocity of water, which means less erosion & sediment transport <br>
- Since most of the sediment settles out behind the dam, water is free to infiltrate in a sediment-free area downstream. If the main
aim is to recharge groundwater, then leaky dams are preferred over gully bunds or check dams <br>
| con=
- They can silt up and will need maintenance <br>
- Possible similar issue as with gully plugs, namely unclear land tenure can result in ownership of the structure <br>
- Can be expensive: a 5-step dam, 4.9 metres high, costs around $26,000 to construct
}}
==Construction, operations and maintenance==
