The different types of spillways are:-

Overall spillways: Water flows over the crest in the form of a rolling sheet of water, when it reaches the bottom the bucket changes the direction of water.

Chute or trough spillway: Suitable for narrow valleys, after crossing over the crest the water shoots down a channel or trough to meet the river downstream of the dam.

Side channel spillway: When there is no room to provide chute spillway, the side channel spillway is used, the water flows parallel after crossing the crest.

Saddle spillway: This is used when no other spillway can be used. Natural depression on the periphery of the dam is used as the spillway, with the bottom of the depression being at the full reservoir level.