The distribution and flow of groundwater in karstified rocks can be extremely complex and not readily predictable, a far from friendly environment for constructing dams and reservoirs. There have been many expensive failures such as unacceptable leakage rates at and around dams, and/or reservoirs that could not be filled to the design levels. This is never the fault of site geology but always of human mistakes due to inadequate investigation programmes and/or erroneous interpretation of the karst processes at work. Remedial works are expensive, time-consuming and frequently do not justify the money invested. As a result, those undertaking engineering works in karst terrains may approach with two fears—of the exceptional risk and/or of a failure. The key question, so often, is whether to build the dam in karstified rocks or keep away from such a risky environment. However, construction of water storage reservoirs is essential in many karst regions for socio-economic development. The challenge must be accepted. Based on much field experience, the best practices for selection of adequate dam and reservoir sites are defined and illustrated with specific examples from many different climatic, topographic, lithologic and hydrogeologic settings in Europe and Asia. This work emphasises that the amount of certainty or uncertainty in the crucial parameters—geological structure, groundwater regime, intensity and depth of karstification—should be recognized.

岩溶化岩石中的地下水分布和流动可能极其复杂且难以预测，与建造大坝和水库的友好环境相去甚远。存在许多昂贵的故障，例如大坝和/或大坝和/或水库无法满足设计水平的泄漏率，这是不可接受的。这绝不是现场地质的错，而是由于调查程序不足和/或对岩溶过程的错误解释而造成的人为错误。补救工作是昂贵，费时的，并且常常不能证明所投资的合理性。结果，那些在岩溶地区从事工程工作的人可能会面临两种恐惧，即极高的风险和/或失败。关键问题常常如此 是在岩溶岩中建造大坝还是远离如此危险的环境。但是，在许多喀斯特地区，蓄水库的建设对于社会经济发展至关重要。必须接受挑战。根据大量的现场经验，确定并选择了合适的大坝和水库库位的最佳做法，并举例说明了欧洲和亚洲许多不同气候，地形，岩性和水文地质环境中的实例。这项工作强调应认识到关键参数（地质结构，地下水状况，岩溶强度和深度）的确定性或不确定性。根据大量的现场经验，确定并选择了合适的大坝和水库库位的最佳做法，并举例说明了欧洲和亚洲许多不同气候，地形，岩性和水文地质环境中的实例。这项工作强调应认识到关键参数（地质结构，地下水状况，岩溶强度和深度）的确定性或不确定性。根据大量的现场经验，确定并选择了合适的大坝和水库库位的最佳做法，并举例说明了欧洲和亚洲许多不同气候，地形，岩性和水文地质环境中的实例。这项工作强调应认识到关键参数（地质结构，地下水状况，岩溶强度和深度）的确定性或不确定性。