When culverts are constructed under roads that cross over the effluent (outlet) stream of a lake, they may be laid at a higher level than the original stream bed. When installed in this fashion, they act as low head dams and may raise the level of the entire lake. The culvert acts as an outlet when the water rises to its level.
CULVERT DAM
Meaning of CULVERT DAM in English
Environmental engineering English vocabulary. Английский словарь экологического инжиниринга. 2012