DAM

A construction of wood, stone, or other materials, made acro a stream for the purpose of penning back the waters. This word ls used in two different senses. It properly means the work or structure, I raised to obstruct the flow of the water in a river; but, by a well-settled usage, it is often applied to designate the pond of water created by this obstruction. Burnham v. KemI>- ton, 44 N. H. 89; Colwell v. Water Power 'Co., 19 N. J. Eq. 248; Mining Co. v. Han- 'J cock, 101 Cal. 42, 31 Pac. 112. • [s. 319]