To find the water level of the dam last month, we can set up an equation. Let \( w \) represent the water level last month. According to the information given, the water level decreased by 8.8 meters last month, and now the water level is 95.3 meters.
So, the equation relating the water levels is:
\[ w - 8.8 = 95.3 \]
This equation means that if you add 8.8 meters to the current water level (95.3 meters), you will get the water level from last month.
Now, let's solve for \( w \):
\[ w = 95.3 + 8.8 \] \[ w = 104.1 \]
Therefore, the correct equation is:
\( w - 8.8 = 95.3 \); the water level of the dam last month was 104.1 meters.