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Strategic Infrastructure

Dams, Reservoirs & Flood Defence

Dams, reservoirs and flood defence covers large water control and storage structures, including dams, barrages, raw-water reservoirs, levees, sea walls and urban stormwater systems. One of the capabilities of Water, Sanitation & Waste Infrastructure.

International families
2,7652015 to 2024
Leading country
China2.0× the next
All families
55khome filings included
Over five years
Rising2020 to 2024 against the five before

Year by year

Patent families by country of origin and the year of the earliest filing, 2000 to 2025; 2025 is a part year, still filling in. International families are those for which protection was sought beyond one country.

Volume

International patent families in the capability, by the year of the earliest filing.

Source: Global Institute for National Capability (GINC), 2026. Underlying patents from 107 patent offices, IFI CLAIMS and Google

Share by country

Each country's share of the year's international families, in per cent: the capability's five largest countries of origin, 2015 to 2024, and the rest of the world.

Source: Global Institute for National Capability (GINC), 2026. Underlying patents from 107 patent offices, IFI CLAIMS and Google

Country leaderboard

International patent families, 2015 to 2024, by country of origin. Growth compares the latest five full years with the five before.

Ten largest

China

United States

Germany

Japan

South Korea

France

Netherlands

United Kingdom

Italy

Canada

808

403

293

212

172

90

84

68

61

48

2000 to 2025
1China80829.2%3.0×
44,019
2United States40314.6%0.8×
1,025
3Germany29310.6%0.8×
462
4Japan2127.7%0.8×
2,837
5South Korea1726.2%0.8×
4,238
6France903.3%1.0×
187
7Netherlands843.0%0.8×
135
8United Kingdom682.5%0.7×
130
9Italy612.2%1.0×
117
10Canada481.7%0.7×
87
11Austria471.7%1.5×
63
12Australia471.7%0.7×
112
13Denmark341.2%1.0×
44
14Taiwan331.2%0.5×
110
15Switzerland311.1%0.7×
37
16Norway301.1%0.5×
43
17Belgium271.0%0.9×
34
18Sweden260.9%1.2×
35
19Spain250.9%1.3×
47
20Singapore230.8%0.5×
25
21Finland220.8%0.8×
32
22Israel170.6%0.9×
19
23India150.5%0.5×
25
24Russia120.4%0.3×
367
25Poland110.4%1.2×
106
26Saudi Arabia90.3%1.3×
12
27New Zealand80.3%1.0×
17
28Ireland70.3%0.4×
10
29Hungary70.3%0.4×
14
30South Africa60.2%0.5×
6
31Türkiye50.2%4.0×
11
32Mexico50.2%0.3×
14
33Malaysia50.2%1.5×
13
34Brazil40.1%3.0×
37
35Hong Kong40.1%0.3×
4
36Czechia30.1%0.0×
18
37Portugal30.1%2.0×
6
38Luxembourg10.0%–
1

Applicants

The largest applicants by international patent families, 2015 to 2024: across the world, then within each of the five countries with the most families in Dams, Reservoirs & Flood Defence. Names are as held in the source and are not consolidated across subsidiaries.

Global

2,765 international families

ACO AHLMANN SE & CO KG · Germany

ACO SEVERIN AHLMANN GMBH & CO KG · Germany

CHINA THREE GORGES CORP · China

CHINA INST WATER RESOURCES & HYDROPOWER RES · China

UNIV HOHAI · China

ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYST · United States

48

35

34

26

26

21

China

808 international families

CHINA THREE GORGES CORP

CHINA INST WATER RESOURCES & HYDROPOWER RES

UNIV HOHAI

UNIV SOUTHWEST PETROLEUM

NANJING HYDRAULIC RES INST

TIANJIN RESEARCH INST WATER TRANSP ENGINEERING MOT

34

26

26

20

17

15

United States

403 international families

ADVANCED DRAINAGE SYST

BE AEROSPACE INC

MAG AEROSPACE IND LLC

COPPES BRYAN

WATERSHED GEOSYNTHETICS LLC

FLOODBREAK L L C

21

15

11

7

7

6

Germany

293 international families

ACO AHLMANN SE & CO KG

ACO SEVERIN AHLMANN GMBH & CO KG

REHAU INDUSTRIES SE & CO KG

ACO ALMANN EUROPE GMBH & CO KG

ACO SEVERIN AHLMANN GMBH&CO KG

FUNKE KUNSTSTOFFE GMBH

46

34

9

8

8

7

Japan

212 international families

HITACHI SHIPBUILDING ENG CO

HITACHI ZOSEN CORP

MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP

NEC CORP

PROTEC ENG INC

NIPPON TELEGRAPH & TELEPHONE

20

10

8

8

8

7

South Korea

172 international families

YUJOO CO LTD

KOREA INST OCEAN SCI & TECH

KIM SANG GI

EVER GREEN CO

HAN OCEAN CO LTD

YUJOO CONSTRUCTION CORP

12

11

10

5

5

4

Similar capabilities

The nine capabilities that share the most international patent families with Dams, Reservoirs & Flood Defence, 2015 to 2024: the families counted in both as a share of those counted in either. Each card shows its five largest countries.

Governance & Integrity

Recovery, Continuity & Adaptation

25.6% shared · 1,040 families in both

China

United States

Japan

South Korea

Italy

513

307

286

199

125

Strategic Infrastructure

Seaports & Terminals

6.9% shared · 417 families in both

China

Japan

United States

France

South Korea

482

422

420

416

286

Strategic Infrastructure

Irrigation & Agricultural Water

4.9% shared · 233 families in both

United States

China

Japan

Germany

Israel

621

455

164

124

100

Strategic Infrastructure

Hydrometeorology & Early Warning

3.4% shared · 329 families in both

China

United States

Japan

South Korea

Germany

2,007

1,837

1,145

638

314

Strategic Infrastructure

Wastewater & Sanitation

3.1% shared · 944 families in both

United States

China

Japan

South Korea

Germany

5,326

5,281

4,432

2,243

2,077

Strategic Infrastructure

Inland Waterways & Ferries

3.0% shared · 118 families in both

Japan

China

United States

South Korea

United Kingdom

324

216

161

124

46

Strategic Infrastructure

Hydropower

2.0% shared · 136 families in both

China

United States

Japan

South Korea

Germany

849

601

301

249

242

Strategic Infrastructure

Fisheries & Aquaculture

1.7% shared · 123 families in both

China

United States

Japan

Norway

South Korea

887

642

521

475

307

Strategic Infrastructure

Roads & Bridges

1.3% shared · 319 families in both

China

United States

Japan

Germany

South Korea

4,101

4,012

3,973

2,790

1,426

Crosswalk

How Dams, Reservoirs & Flood Defence is matched to the patent classifications. The entries below were chosen for it; each stands for itself and everything beneath it in the scheme, 88 Cooperative entries in all. A patent family counts when any of its codes, in either scheme and at any office, falls under one of them. Codes since retired are placed under the entries that replaced them.

EntryTitle in the schemeWhy it is chosenCPC codesIPC codesDocuments
E02B7/00Barrages or weirs; Layout, construction, methods of, or devices for, making sameDams, barrages and weirs312887,216
E02B8/00Details of barrages or weirs ; Energy dissipating devices carried by lock or dry-dock gatesSpillways, gates and other barrage details9531,097
E02B3/04Structures or apparatus for, or methods of, protecting banks, coasts, or harboursBank, coast and harbour protection: dykes, sea walls, breakwaters266118,041
E02B3/16Sealings or jointsSealing and joints of hydraulic structures1115,645
E03F1/00Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm waterSystems draining storm water and sewage8134,175
E03F5/10Collecting-tanks; Equalising-tanks for regulating the run-off; Laying-up basinsStorm-water retention and equalising tanks8140,458
Y02A10/00Technologies for adaptation to climate change at coastal zones; at river basinsTagged coastal and river-basin flood adaptation23none69,029

CPC and IPC codes are the codes in use on patent documents, at any office, that fall under the entry. Documents is the larger of the two schemes' counts of documents carrying one of them. An entry with no IPC codes can be told apart only in the Cooperative scheme.

The Cooperative codes in use that count towards Dams, Reservoirs & Flood Defence: 106 codes on 237,314 documents. The full crosswalk is in the cpc-to-capability.csv download.

CodeTitleUnder entryHow placedDocuments
Y02A10/40Controlling or monitoring, e.g. of flood or hurricane; Forecasting, e.g. risk assessment or mappingY02A10/00In the scheme23,139
Y02A10/11Hard structures, e.g. dams, dykes or breakwatersY02A10/00In the scheme18,375
Y02A10/23Dune restoration or creation; Cliff stabilisationY02A10/00In the scheme16,642
E03F5/10Collecting-tanks; Equalising-tanks for regulating the run-off; Laying-up basinsE03F5/10In the scheme9,041
E02B3/14Preformed blocks or slabs for forming essentially continuous surfaces; Arrangements thereofE02B3/04In the scheme8,670
Y02A10/30Flood prevention; Flood or storm water management, e.g. using flood barriersY02A10/00In the scheme8,523
E02B3/06Moles; Piers; Quays; Quay walls; Groynes; Breakwaters ; Wave dissipating walls; Quay equipmentE02B3/04In the scheme7,944
E02B3/12Revetment of banks, dams, watercourses, or the like, e.g. the sea-floorE02B3/04In the scheme7,692
E03F1/00Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm waterE03F1/00In the scheme7,513
E02B3/16Sealings or jointsE02B3/16In the scheme6,431
E03F5/101Dedicated additional structures, interposed or parallel to the sewer systemE03F5/10In the scheme4,565
E02B3/10Dams; Dykes; Sluice ways or other structures for dykes, dams, or the likeE02B3/04In the scheme4,535
E03F1/002Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water with disposal into the ground, e.g. via dry wellsE03F1/00In the scheme4,265
E03F1/006Pneumatic sewage disposal systems; accessories specially adapted thereforeE03F1/00In the scheme4,260
E03F5/105Accessories, e.g. flow regulators or cleaning devicesE03F5/10In the scheme3,931
E02B7/20Movable barrages; Lock or dry-dock gatesE02B7/00In the scheme3,925
E02B3/04Structures or apparatus for, or methods of, protecting banks, coasts, or harboursE02B3/04In the scheme3,855
E02B8/06Spillways; Devices for dissipation of energy, e.g. for reducing eddies also for lock or dry-dock gatesE02B8/00In the scheme3,731
E02B7/36Elevating mechanisms for vertical-lift gatesE02B7/00In the scheme3,445
E02B8/026Cleaning devicesE02B8/00In the scheme3,257
E02B3/129Polyhedrons, tetrapods or similar bodies, whether or not threaded on stringsE02B3/04In the scheme3,022
E02B3/046Artificial reefsE02B3/04In the scheme2,874
E02B7/54Sealings for gatesE02B7/00In the scheme2,850
E02B3/062Constructions floating in operational condition, e.g. breakwaters or wave dissipating wallsE02B3/04In the scheme2,680
E02B3/122Flexible prefabricated covering elements, e.g. mats, stripsE02B3/04In the scheme2,610
E02B7/26Vertical-lift gatesE02B7/00In the scheme2,486
E02B3/108Temporary dykes with a filling, e.g. filled by water or sandE02B3/04In the scheme2,437
E02B7/44Hinged-leaf gatesE02B7/00In the scheme2,417
E02B7/205Barrages controlled by the variations of the water level; automatically functioning barragesE02B7/00In the scheme2,397
E02B3/121Devices for applying linings on banks or the water bottomE02B3/04In the scheme2,131
E02B8/085Devices allowing fish migration, e.g. fish trapsE02B8/00In the scheme2,095
E02B3/127Flexible prefabricated covering elements, e.g. mats, strips bags filled at the sideE02B3/04In the scheme2,082
E03F1/005Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water with disposal into the ground, e.g. via dry wells via box-shaped elementsE03F1/00In the scheme2,055
E02B3/106Temporary dykesE02B3/04In the scheme2,006
E02B3/064Floating landing-stagesE02B3/04In the scheme1,856
E02B7/40Swinging or turning gatesE02B7/00In the scheme1,823
E02B8/023Arresting devices for waterborne materialsE02B8/00In the scheme1,792
E02B8/00Details of barrages or weirs ; Energy dissipating devices carried by lock or dry-dock gatesE02B8/00In the scheme1,779
E02B3/068Landing stages for vesselsE02B3/04In the scheme1,776
E02B3/066QuaysE02B3/04In the scheme1,758
Y02A10/00Technologies for adaptation to climate change at coastal zones; at river basinsY02A10/00In the scheme1,656
E02B7/06Earth-fill dams; Rock-fill damsE02B7/00In the scheme1,655
E03F5/107Active flow control devices, i.e. moving during flow regulationE03F5/10In the scheme1,607
E02B3/126Flexible prefabricated covering elements, e.g. mats, strips mainly consisting of bituminous material or synthetic resinsE02B3/04In the scheme1,548
E02B7/005Deformable barrages or barrages consisting of permanently deformable elements, e.g. inflatable, with flexible wallsE02B7/00In the scheme1,526
E02B3/102Permanently installed raisable dykesE02B3/04In the scheme1,501
E02B8/08Fish passes or other means providing for migration of fish; Passages for rafts or boatsE02B8/00In the scheme1,463
E02B3/123Flexible prefabricated covering elements, e.g. mats, strips mainly consisting of stone, concrete or similar stony materialE02B3/04In the scheme1,426
E02B7/02Fixed barragesE02B7/00In the scheme1,331
E02B3/043Artificial seaweedE02B3/04In the scheme1,310
E02B8/04Valves, slides, or the like; Arrangements therefor; Submerged sluice gatesE02B8/00In the scheme1,270
E02B7/28Vertical-lift gates with sliding gatesE02B7/00In the scheme1,262
E02B7/00Barrages or weirs; Layout, construction, methods of, or devices for, making sameE02B7/00In the scheme1,227
E02B8/02Sediment base gates; Sand sluices; Structures for retaining arresting waterborne materialE02B8/00In the scheme1,200
E02B3/104Permanently installed raisable dykes with self-activating meansE02B3/04In the scheme1,125
E02B3/128Coherent linings made on the spot, e.g. cast in situ, extruded on the spotE02B3/04In the scheme1,052
E03F5/106Passive flow control devices, i.e. not moving during flow regulationE03F5/10In the scheme1,039
E02B7/42Gates of segmental or sector-like shape with horizontal axisE02B7/00In the scheme1,015
E03F1/003Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water with disposal into the ground, e.g. via dry wells via underground elongated vaulted elementsE03F1/00In the scheme997
E03F5/103Naturals or landscape retention bodies, e.g. pondsE03F5/10In the scheme896
E02B3/125Flexible prefabricated covering elements, e.g. mats, strips mainly consisting of vegetable material, e.g. wood, reedsE02B3/04In the scheme863
E02B7/50Floating gatesE02B7/00In the scheme838
E03F1/007Pneumatic sewage disposal systems; accessories specially adapted therefore for public or main systemsE03F1/00In the scheme755
E02B3/08Structures of loose stones with or without pilesE02B3/04In the scheme670
E02B3/124Flexible prefabricated covering elements, e.g. mats, strips mainly consisting of metalE02B3/04In the scheme644
E03F1/001Methods, systems, or installations for draining-off sewage or storm water into a body of waterE03F1/00In the scheme636
Y02A10/26Artificial reefs or seaweed; Restoration or protection of coral reefsY02A10/00In the scheme633
E02B7/16Fixed weirs; Superstructures or flash-boards thereforE02B7/00In the scheme631
E02B3/041Structures or apparatus for, or methods of, protecting banks, coasts, or harbours using active mechanical means, e.g. fluidizing or pumpingE02B3/04In the scheme573
E03F1/008Temporary fluid connections for emptying mobile sewage holding tanks, e.g. of trailers, boatsE03F1/00In the scheme527
E02B7/08Wall damsE02B7/00In the scheme517
E02B7/34Flash- boards for vertical-lift gatesE02B7/00In the scheme503
E03F5/102Collecting-tanks; Equalising-tanks for regulating the run-off; Laying-up basins using already existing parts of the sewer system for runoff-regulationE03F5/10In the scheme484
E02B8/045Valves, slides, or the like; Arrangements therefor; Submerged sluice gates automatically movableE02B8/00In the scheme480
E02B7/22Stop log dams; Emergency gatesE02B7/00In the scheme463
E02B7/10Gravity dams, i.e. those in which the weight of the structure prevents overturningE02B7/00In the scheme361
E02B7/18Siphon weirsE02B7/00In the scheme349
E02B7/30Vertical-lift gates with guide wheels or rollers for the gatesE02B7/00In the scheme337
E03F5/108Cleaning devices providing a flushing surgeE03F5/10In the scheme311
E02B7/52Equipment preventing vibration of gatesE02B7/00In the scheme308
E02B7/04Dams across valleysE02B7/00In the scheme298
E02B7/38Rolling gates or gates moving horizontally in their own plane, e.g. by slidingE02B7/00In the scheme280
E02B7/12Arch damsE02B7/00In the scheme274
E02B7/46Gates turning round a horizontal axis arranged midway of the flapE02B7/00In the scheme246
E02B7/14Buttress damsE02B7/00In the scheme220
E02B7/48Roof or double shutter gatesE02B7/00In the scheme143
E02B7/32Cylindrical or tubular gatesE02B7/00In the scheme114
E02B7/24Needle weirsE02B7/00In the scheme23
Y02A10/46Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group15
Y02A10/15Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group10
Y02A10/34Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group6
Y02A10/13Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group4
Y02A10/16Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group4
Y02A10/33Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group4
Y02A10/22Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group3
Y02A10/28Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group3
Y02A10/383Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group2
Y02A10/41Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group2
Y02A10/48Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group2
E02B7/045Retired codeE02B7/00Retired, by main group1
Y02A10/18Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group1
Y02A10/24Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group1
Y02A10/35Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group1
Y02A10/36Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group1
Y02A10/39Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group1
Y02A10/42Retired codeY02A10/00Retired, by main group1
Match: Direct
The capability is itself a technology or a kind of physical system, and the classification names it. E03F1/00 is shared with Wastewater & Sanitation because the entry does not separate storm water from sewage. The crosswalk is a first pass that nobody has reviewed.

Other capabilities in Water, Sanitation & Waste Infrastructure