Date Posted: 10/8/2012 9:54:34 AM
Posted By: warira Membership Level: Gold Total Points: 1095
We have seen many dams being built across the country something that most of us applaud with a few oppositions here and there. There are certain advantages and disadvantages that influence one’s stand regarding a dam. For instance ‘ friends of Lake Turkana’ are opposing the proposed dam to built along the River Nile in Ethiopia. In this article I will highlight these advantages and disadvantages. Advantages Irrigation, water in these dams is used for irrigating farms around and for domestic use. Flood control, most dams are used to manage floods as they control river levels. People would do anything to avert floods due to the many problems that come with them. Crops and property are destroyed, people die as well as being displaced. Hydro power, water is used as a source of energy for example the seven forks dam are used for these purpose. This kind of energy is good for the country as there is no pollution and waste. The water that is released can be used for irrigation and domestic use. Inland navigation, since river levels and currents keep changing they cannot be relied on for navigation compared to dams. Recreation, the way dams are built is just fascinating and provides a beautiful scenery. Also boat riding, fishing activities can be introduced. They can be tourists attractions due to their flora and fauna, birds and other natural attractions.DisadvantagesSoil erosion: dams hold back the sediment load that is usually found in the river flow hence depriving the downstream of it. The downstream water has to compensate for this load by eroding its own channels and banks of which has adverse effects. The vegetation and wildlife is usually affected as a result. Spread of diseases. This is common for dams in tropical areas as the water moves slowly hence being breeding grounds for mosquitoes, snails and other vectors. Interruption of animal movements along the course of the water. Some of these animals face extinction as they have not been adapted to be in slow moving water. Alteration of the fish community in the region of the river. This is because the egg beds are affect and fish may lack a place to breed. Loss of flowing water habitat with a replacement of standing water habitat. This greatly affects the ecological balance of the region. Alterations in temperature, salt oxygen and flow hence the growth of new species. Rise in evaporation loses may be expected as a result of the increase in the water surface area. Human displacement. Many people have to be moved to pave way for the construction of the Dams as large parcels of land are used. It becomes a big problem for people as they are affected culturally, socially, politically and economically. The earths rotation is affected due to the shift of water weight from oceans to dams. Most scientist believe that the earth’s rotation has increased and could be the reason why time flies so fast nowadays. Increase in earthquakes may occur because of the filling of big dams. The climate may be affected due to the changes in air moisture, percentage of air, temperature, movements in large scale and changes in topography
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