Intake tower

Unlike spillways, intake towers are intended for the reservoir's regular operation, conveying clean, debris-free water for further use.

An intake tower is typically made from reinforced concrete, with foundations laid in the river or lake bed.

It has at least one water-collecting opening at the top, and may have additional openings along its height, depending on the purpose: towers for hydroelectric plants typically have only one inlet, while those in water-processing plants have multiple draw-off inlets.

When built near the shore, an intake tower is equipped with a service bridge, used to gain access for maintenance.

They have multiple openings at various depths, typically equipped with valves, allowing drawing water only from the level where it is of highest quality.

Intake tower connected to the shore with a service bridge at the Boondooma Dam , Australia