Canal vs. Berm — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 4, 2024
Canals are artificial waterways constructed for navigation or irrigation, featuring engineered embankments, while berms are raised barriers of earth or stone, often used in landscaping or fortification.
Difference Between Canal and Berm
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Canals are specifically engineered channels designed for the transportation of water and navigation, usually connecting different water bodies. On the other hand, berms are elevated segments of land, typically used to separate or protect areas, and do not facilitate water flow.
Canals often include locks and gates to manage water levels and facilitate boat navigation, supporting commercial and recreational activities. Whereas berms serve primarily as protective barriers, enhancing privacy, controlling sound, or as part of flood defenses.
The construction of a canal involves extensive excavation and sometimes lining the channel with concrete or other materials to prevent water seepage. Conversely, berms are generally constructed by compacting earth, gravel, or using retaining walls, and may support vegetation.
In terms of maintenance, canals require regular dredging to prevent siltation and ensure free flow of water. Berms, on the other hand, might need periodic repairs and vegetation management to maintain their structure and functionality.
Canals have a historical significance in facilitating trade and agriculture, transforming regions economically and culturally. Berms, while utilitarian, are often used in modern landscaping and urban planning to enhance aesthetics and functionality of spaces.
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Comparison Chart
Purpose
Navigation, irrigation
Protection, landscaping
Construction
Excavated, often lined
Earth piled or constructed
Water Management
Includes locks and gates
Does not manage water flow
Maintenance
Dredging required
Periodic repairs, vegetation
Historical Use
Trade, agricultural development
Defensive, aesthetic purposes
Compare with Definitions
Canal
Requires regular maintenance such as dredging.
The canal is dredged annually to remove accumulated silt and debris.
Berm
Commonly used in landscaping and road construction.
The highway was bordered by a berm that helped reduce road noise.
Canal
Includes structures like locks and gates.
This canal uses a series of locks to raise and lower boats between stretches of water at different levels.
Berm
May support vegetation to prevent erosion.
The berm was planted with grass and shrubs to stabilize the soil.
Canal
Often lined with concrete to prevent erosion.
The canal was reinforced with concrete to withstand the heavy water flow.
Berm
Does not facilitate water flow, unlike canals.
The berm serves to divert runoff away from the property.
Canal
A man-made waterway used for transportation or irrigation.
The Panama Canal greatly reduces the maritime journey between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
Berm
A raised barrier of earth or stone.
A berm was built around the garden to protect it from flooding.
Canal
Can dramatically alter the economic landscape of a region.
The Erie Canal played a crucial role in the economic development of the northeastern United States.
Berm
Can enhance aesthetics and functionality in urban planning.
Berms in the park were designed to provide visual interest and seating areas.
Canal
Canals are waterway channels, or artificial waterways, for water conveyance, or for servicing water transport vehicles. They carry free surface flow under atmospheric pressure, and can be thought of as artificial rivers.
Berm
A berm is a level space, shelf, or raised barrier (usually made of compacted soil) separating areas in a vertical way, especially part-way up a long slope. It can serve as a terrace road, track, path, a fortification line, a border/separation barrier for navigation, good drainage, industry, or other purposes.
Canal
An artificial waterway constructed to allow the passage of boats or ships inland or to convey water for irrigation
The Oxford Canal
They travelled on by canal
Berm
A flat strip of land, raised bank, or terrace bordering a river or canal.
Canal
A tubular duct in a plant or animal, serving to convey or contain food, liquid, or air
The ear canal
Berm
A narrow ledge or shelf, as along the top or bottom of a slope.
Canal
Any of a number of linear markings formerly reported as seen by telescope on the planet Mars.
Berm
Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, & West Virginia The shoulder of a road.
Canal
An artificial waterway or artificially improved river used for travel, shipping, or irrigation.
Berm
A raised bank or path, especially the bank of a canal opposite the towpath.
Canal
(Anatomy) A tube, duct, or passageway.
Berm
A nearly horizontal or landward-sloping portion of a beach, formed by the deposition of sediment by storm waves.
Canal
(Astronomy) One of the faint, hazy markings resembling straight lines on early telescopic images of the surface of Mars.
Berm
A mound or bank of earth, used especially as a barrier or to provide insulation.
Canal
To dig an artificial waterway through
Canal an isthmus.
Berm
The flat space between the edge of a ditch and the base of a fortification.
Canal
To provide with an artificial waterway or waterways.
Berm
To provide with a berm or berms.
Canal
An artificial waterway or artificially improved river used for travel, shipping, or irrigation.
Berm
A narrow ledge or shelf, as along the top or bottom of a slope.
Canal
(anatomy) A tubular channel within the body.
Berm
A raised bank or path, especially the bank of a canal opposite the towpath.
Canal
(astronomy) One of the faint, hazy markings resembling straight lines on early telescopic images of the surface of Mars; see Martian canals
Berm
A terrace formed by wave action along a beach.
Canal
To dig an artificial waterway in or to (a place), especially for drainage
Berm
A mound or bank of earth, used especially as a barrier or to provide insulation.
Canal
To travel along a canal by boat
Berm
A ledge between the parapet and the moat in a fortification.
Canal
An artificial channel filled with water and designed for navigation, or for irrigating land, etc.
Berm
A strip of land between a street and sidewalk.
Canal
A tube or duct; as, the alimentary canal; the semicircular canals of the ear.
Berm
(Western Pennsylvania English) Edge of a road.
Canal
A long and relatively narrow arm of the sea, approximately uniform in width; - used chiefly in proper names; as, Portland Canal; Lynn Canal.
Berm
To provide something with a berm
Canal
(astronomy) an indistinct surface feature of Mars once thought to be a system of channels; they are now believed to be an optical illusion
Berm
A narrow shelf or path between the bottom of a parapet and the ditch.
Canal
A bodily passage or tube lined with epithelial cells and conveying a secretion or other substance;
The tear duct was obstructed
The alimentary canal
Poison is released through a channel in the snake's fangs
Berm
A ledge at the bottom of a bank or cutting, to catch earth that may roll down the slope, or to strengthen the bank.
Canal
Long and narrow strip of water made for boats or for irrigation
Berm
A narrow ledge or shelf typically at the top or bottom of a slope
Canal
Provide (a city) with a canal
Berm
Narrow edge of land (usually unpaved) along the side of a road
Common Curiosities
How do berms help in flood control?
Berms act as barriers to floodwaters, redirecting or slowing the flow away from protected areas.
What historical significance do canals hold?
Historically, canals have been crucial for trade, transportation, and urban development, significantly impacting economies and civilizations.
Are there different types of canals?
Yes, canals can be categorized based on their use, such as irrigation canals, navigation canals, or power generation canals.
Do berms require special permits for construction?
Depending on their size and location, constructing berms may require permits to ensure they do not negatively impact drainage or violate local codes.
What are the environmental impacts of canals?
Canals can affect local ecosystems by altering water flow and habitat, sometimes leading to issues like waterlogging or displacement of native species.
What is the typical lifespan of a canal?
With proper maintenance, canals can remain functional for decades or even centuries, as evidenced by ancient waterways still in use today.
What considerations are important when designing a berm?
Key considerations include the height and width of the berm, the materials used, the slope for stability, and vegetation for erosion control.
Can berms be used for purposes other than landscaping?
Yes, berms are also used for noise reduction along highways, as protective barriers in military contexts, and in environmental protection efforts.
How do canals affect urban planning?
Canals can influence urban planning by providing unique water-based transportation options and creating waterfront properties, which can increase land value and development potential.
What are some challenges associated with maintaining a canal?
Challenges include managing water quality, preventing silting, maintaining structural integrity, and managing aquatic weed growth.
What famous canals are known globally?
Notable examples include the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal, and the Grand Canal in China, each playing a pivotal role in global maritime navigation.
How are berms integrated into road construction?
In road construction, berms serve as safety barriers or shoulders that separate the road from the surrounding landscape, enhancing safety and managing roadside drainage.
What role do locks play in canal operation?
Locks help manage water levels and allow vessels to travel between sections of a canal that have different elevations.
Can berms be environmentally beneficial?
Yes, when designed with ecological considerations, berms can support wildlife habitats, aid in stormwater management, and improve landscape aesthetics.
How do seasonal changes affect berms?
Seasonal changes can affect the stability and effectiveness of berms, requiring periodic assessments and maintenance to address issues like erosion or vegetation die-off.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
