A spillway is a structure used to provide the controlled release of flows from a dam or levee into a downstream area, typically being the river that was dammed. In the UK they may be known as overflow channels. Spillways release floods so that the water does not overtop and damage or even destroy the dam. Except during flood periods, water does not normally flow over a spillway.

We’ve already done a standalone feature on the round shaped bell-mouth spillways, but I’ve never seen a star-shaped spillway until now. This particular one is located at the Kechut Reservoir near Jermuk in Armenia.