A regional government is considering the multipurpose dam shown in Fig. 1 on a steep river valley. The proposal includes a reservoir, hydroelectric power st...
Question 1 Report
A regional government is considering the multipurpose dam shown in Fig. 1 on a steep river valley. The proposal includes a reservoir, hydroelectric power station, irrigation canal and a controlled release downstream. Around 800 households would need to move from the valley floor. Engineers argue that the scheme would store water and reduce some flood peaks, while communities downstream are concerned that fish migration and sediment movement will be disrupted.
(a) What four services or benefits could the dam provide, as shown or implied by Fig. 1? [4]
(b) Describe five possible environmental or social impacts of building the dam. [5]
(c) Which two groups of people may disagree about this proposal? For each group, give one likely view and one reason for that view. [6]
(d) Outline how the government could manage the dam scheme to make its use more sustainable. [10]
Answer Details
(a) The dam can provide hydroelectric power, water storage, irrigation supply, flood regulation, domestic or industrial water supply, and recreation or tourism. Any four [1] points. [4]
(b) Possible impacts include reservoir flooding of homes or farmland, displacement of households, blocked fish migration, trapped sediment, increased downstream erosion from less sediment, changed river habitats due to regulated flow, and construction noise, dust, or habitat loss. Any five [1] points. [5]
(c) Displaced valley residents may oppose the scheme because they lose homes, land, or cultural sites [3]. Farmers may support it because reliable irrigation can raise yields [3]. Electricity users or businesses may support reliable power [3], while fishers or conservation groups may oppose disruption to fish passage and natural flow [3]. Explain any two groups. [6]
(d) Sustainable management includes a full environmental and social impact assessment before construction [2]; fair compensation, housing and livelihood support for displaced households [2]; maintaining and monitoring a fish pass [2]; releasing an environmental flow resembling seasonal conditions [2]; and sediment flushing or bypass measures with regular involvement of downstream communities. [2] [10]
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