This displacement of people had been subject to plenty of discussions in the past. What are the pros and cons of building dams? 3) Can be Challenging to Maintain. [7] The dam began to fill its reservoir in late July 2019. 6. Wanna make a contribution to save our environment? The balance of pros and cons need to be weighed. Archeologists are still discovering new artifacts in the town the most recent Neolithic settlement was unearthed in September and they estimate that most of Hasankeyfs archeological sites will be flooded before they can be excavated. This will also be quite costly and those costs should also be factored in when it comes to the initial decision regarding whether it makes sense to build a dam or not. Unlike most of the other towns, however, Hasankeyf has been continuously inhabited for 12,000 years. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'environmental_conscience_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_15',195,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); In turn, people may be able to enjoy a higher drinking water quality, which may contribute to an increase in the overall health of the local population. Hydropower Pros and Cons. Thus, the construction of dams may imply serious problems for fishes and other kinds of aquatic life. 0. In addition, water shortages, lack of rainfall and depleted soils led nearly to a halt in farming rice, corn, sesame, sunflower seeds and cotton;[44] and a decrease in the area planted for wheat and barley by half for the 201819 season. In conclusion, the need for concerted global intervention to maintain the livability of Earth and increase resilience in the face of the rapidly changing availability of resources will be explored and the clear need for a unified collaborative approach to such intervention reiterated. It would have hamstrung the Iraqi government and allowed the Islamic State to seize even more territory. Thus, especially in times of droughts, there might be plenty of conflicts regarding how water flows should be altered by dams. The Ilisu Dams total installed power stands at 1,200 megawatts, making it Turkeys fourth-largest dam in terms of energy production. 5. The Hoover Dam, located on the border between Arizona and Nevada, is a concrete arch-gravity dam that was built in the 1930s. In turn, many people will likely die from those dam breaks. Cons of Dams. Thus, decision-makers should take this fact into account and realize that dams are not a short-term solution to overcome certain problems. Where the Tigris drains into the Persian Gulf in southern Iraq, the lower flow can cause saltwater intrusion from the Gulf. [20] Construction of new Ilsu and Kotepe villages were underway as well as the relocation of major portions of Hasankeyf. Pros: 1. All works are expected to be completed in 2015. [6] Most historical structures in Hasankeyf were moved to the new Hasankeyf prior to the filling of the dam. Dams should only be built when the benefits of building them greatly outweigh the costs. Julia Harte, a DC-based journalist for Reuters, gave a public lecture at UVA on October 25th2017. However, pressure from environmental and human rights groups have often halted this process. The Ilisu Dam and its Impact on the Mesopotamian Marshes of Iraq: Implications for the Future Directions of International Water Law The following essay by Raquella Thaman is a summary of her recently published monograph (under the same title), which appears in Brill Research Perspectives in International Water Law . 20 16 Large dams have the potential to save the country from critical food shortages. If dams have both costs and benefits, how should we decide when a dam should be built? Explanation: Dams play an important role when it comes to hydroelectricity and they act as a reservoir of river water. Iraq has also been adversely affected by dam projects and agricultural developments in Iran. Dams have been quite important over the history of mankind. Subscribe 8.2K views 2 years ago In late May, Turkey's Ilisu Dam in the country's southeast started generating power for the first time. And why has the dam been controversial, ever since the idea of building it emerged? HWMchHq=tP4Vh__fV!vLD#DV/_{6Dj~|F'$JMfh:HmFh4b0?|UFj[Y4r?[QV,~? The Ilisu Dam would also prove to be an important source for domestic energy production. The decline in water flow for the Tigris River can lower the water quality downstream, especially during a drought. Hydroelectric power plants and dams can be incredibly expensive to construct, regardless of the type of building, due to logistical challenges. The title of her talk was Damming Eden, Water Security in Turkey, Syria and Iraq. In 2013 she traveled with a team for National Geographic along the Tigris River to conduct field research into the impact of recent dam and irrigation projects in the area, and answered a few questions for us. Hydropower facilities support other uses Cons of hydroelectric power 1. They provide water for irrigation, prevents of floods and generates electricity. 1. The Ilisu dam has a designed capacity of List of Pros of Three Gorges Dam. Dams might be thought of the structures that grant us with some form of protection from the flood, however, in the case of this structure's failure, overwhelming consequences results for the communities in the downstream, leading to the loss of thousands of life and property. It is located 65km upstream on the main river course running along the borderline between . Since our world population is growing at an alarming rate and we will need an increasing supply of energy in the future, hydropower may be a great measure to be able to meet this increasing energy demand. Sediment that is removed from the river at the resovoir's will increase the velocity of the river and hence erosion further downstream. It's a clean, renewable source of energy 2. Copyright 2023 International Water Law Project | All Rights Reserved Since hydropower can be considered to be a sustainable and relatively green energy source, it will also play a crucial role in the transition process from fossil to alternative renewable energies. [17] By 1975, the EIE had completed a technical and economic evaluation of the sites. The most terrifying threat the Islamic State posed to the region in terms of water security was when it briefly took over Iraqs Mosul Dam, the largest hydroelectric dam on the Tigris River, for ten days in 2014. On the one hand, plenty of work is needed in order to plan and construct a dam. The Kurdish Human Rights Project, Friends 1) Displace a Significant Number of People. After getting to know the basics, lets move on to the actual topic; the pros and cons of a dam. About 199 settlements (villages and hamlets) will be fully or partially affected by flooding as well. The dam was already in bad shape due to erosion and the fact that it was built on soluble rock. Thus, dams can also be an important economic factor, which can vastly increase the income of municipalities as well as for many small businesses. The Arabs who live in the marshes were seen as security threats by Saddam Hussein, who accused them of sheltering Shiite rebels. For instance, while some villages may profit since they will have better access to water, others will suffer since the water flows have been changed and they might no longer have access to their river at all. You can also rent a boat. The purpose of the dams is to reserve water for the time of . The fate of the Mesopotamian Marshes of Iraq provides us with a case study on the functional deficits of the existing body of international water law in managing conflict over transboundary watercourses. In 2006, the Turkish government estimated that 61,620 people would be "physically or economically displaced". Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 USA, +1-434-924-3900 Hydropower, or water power, is "power derived from the energy of falling water or fast running water, which may be harnessed for useful purposes". Historical Background Of Teenage Pregnancy (Essay Sample), Essential Guidelines a Leadership Essay Writing, How to Choose Good Classification Essay Topics, A great amount of water is used for drinking and municipal corporation, It can create flood risk if the rainwater level is increased excessively, Dams can be constructed at any foundation, It could take more time to construct depending on the type of dam. The originally planned Mosul Dam watershed (with an area of 54 900 km 2 ) has . For instance, if too many fishes are no longer able to reproduce since they are no longer be able to travel to their mating area, chances are that their prey will explode in population, which may in turn significantly decrease water quality. [26], In 2014, the dam, as well as others in southeast Turkey such as the Silvan Dam, became a prime target of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) militants after peace talks collapsed with the government. Access to Drinking Water, Agriculture, Built Environment, Environment, Infrastructure, Innovation, Water & Society, Water Policy, Water Productivity, Water Scarcity, Environment, Uncategorized, Water & Health, Water Quality, Access to Drinking Water, Water & Health, Water Quality, Water Technology, Climate Change, Environment, Water Scarcity. How much power does the Ilisu Dam produce? The dam's reservoir will have a capacity of 10,400,000,000m3 (8,431,417acreft), of which 7,460,000,000m3 (6,050,000acreft) will be active (or live, useful) storage and 2,950,000,000m3 (2,390,000acreft) will be inactive (dead) storage. Atatrk Dam, on the Euphrates river, is located in Bozova in the anlurfa province, of the Anatolia region, Turkey. Pros Cons; The dam controls the Yangtze River floods, saving lives and homes: Loss of fish and extinction of the river dolphin: The dam is a major source of renewable power, replacing coal as a source of power: Flooding of good farmland: The dam has made it possible for ships (commercial and recreational) to travel much further inland. Pre removal assment of a dam is imperative . However, from past experiences, it is fair to say that it can take many years or even decades until the construction of big dams is finished. Countries across the Middle East are facing a bleak future of declining rainfall, diminishing surface- and groundwater supplies, and increasing desertification. [28][29], The construction reached 96% in June 2017. Both comments and pings are currently closed. Construction of the dam began in 2006 and was originally expected to be completed by 2016. Back [3][4] As part of the project, the much smaller Cizre Dam is to be constructed downstream for irrigation and power. 479 Ilisu Dam Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images Images Editorial Video Editorial FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 479 Ilisu Dam Premium High Res Photos Browse 479 ilisu dam stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. In the long run, water bodies may be covered with algae and the whole ecosystem may collapse. What are the pros and cons of building dams? Preliminary construction of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GRD) began in April 2011 on the Blue Nile River near the Sudanese border. It is one of the 22 dams of the Southeastern Anatolia Project and its purpose is hydroelectric power production, flood control and water storage. These experts may also be quite rare and municipalities may have a hard time finding the right staff to operate those dams, especially in regions where education levels are rather low. Fortunately, that didnt happen, and an Italian firm is now working to renovate the dam and prevent it from collapsing due to natural stresses. It can trigger frequent earthquakes, however, modern planning and design of dams have reduced the possibility of occurrence of certain disasters. Turkey stated that construction would start again in July 2009. Basically, this method of power generation uses water, which is a free . Looking into places where dams have already been removed and comparing them to areas of possible dam removal is important when envisioning possibilities. In Favor :- There are multiple benefits by big dams. It's flexible 5. In many regions the seasonal absence of rain has historically been compensated for by meltwater from glaciers and winter snowpack across international borders in distant mountain ranges. However, deforestation is known to be quite harmful to our environment since large amounts of carbon dioxide are emitted into the air when forests are cleared. High upfront capital costs. The dam's system can control and manage water flow, so it is also serving as an alternative and multi-purpose structure that can produce an enormous amount of power, while at the same time controlling natural disaster. 0000000827 00000 n Turkeys downstream neighbors say the dam will dramatically reduce the flow of the Tigris into Iraq and Syria, pointing to similar declines in river levels that ensued from previous Turkish dams. endstream endobj 21 0 obj<> endobj 23 0 obj<> endobj 24 0 obj<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text]/ExtGState<>>> endobj 25 0 obj<> endobj 26 0 obj<> endobj 27 0 obj<> endobj 28 0 obj<> endobj 29 0 obj<> endobj 30 0 obj<>stream The major benefit offered by the Three Gorges Dam to China was the growth of renewable energy. But while it is deemed as very beneficial, it also has its downsides. The reservoirs that are created through the construction of dams can also be used for recreational purposes. Thus, depending on the region, dams may also be a great tool to effectively supply locals with enough water so that they can carry out all the tasks of their daily life. Water is a transient and finite resource. This is motivating a substantial land. Apart from that, there are many other advantages and disadvantages of hydropower. 3. The second chapter is an overview of the Tigris-Euphrates river basin including its hydro-geography, climate and early history of water use. University of Virginia Efficient storage of water: Dams are more efficient in the storage of rainwater which can later be used to supply water to the neighboring areas during drought. Dams have a variety of purposes, including energy generation, irrigation purposes, the creation of habitats for the local flora and fauna or the construction of reservoirs for leisure activities. Cons of Dams 1) Displace a Significant Number of People 2) Disrupts Local Ecosystems 3) Can be Challenging to Maintain Conclusion Pros of Dams First of all, let's have a look at the pros of dams and these are as follows: 1) Provides Help to Retain our Water Supply Iraq hosts hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees as well as millions of internally displaced Iraqis. Our technological progress is astounding and we are now even able to build dams that can clean up the water through different filters. [36] This figure excludes vacant settlements, which will also be inundated. It will submerge 313 square kilometres of land, an area the size of Malta.5 Figure 1: The ilisu Dam siTe Ilisu Dam site [30][31] In February 2018, construction on the dam was completed. It is a. Another problem with the construction of dams is that in some cases, many people have to give up their homes and move to other locations. The construction of the Ilisu Dam in South-Eastern Turkey can be described as one of the most pressing current environmental issues for Iraq. 0000002548 00000 n The Ilisu Dam, built upstream from the existing Mosul Dam in Iraq, has drained most of the Mosul Dam catchment area. Generally, hydropower is the one of the oldest and most renewable sources of energy in the world today. It uses simple, understandable technology 4. UN provisions, - Ilisu is Turkey's last major planned dam on the Tigris, and it has been controversial from the start. How has the dam affected people downstream in Iraq? Attacks on the dam, supporting structures and workers are part of the PKK's efforts to stop construction. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-box-4','ezslot_2',142,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-4-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'environmental_conscience_com-box-4','ezslot_3',142,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-environmental_conscience_com-box-4-0_1');.box-4-multi-142{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:7px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:7px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Moreover, since our energy mix is currently not sustainable since it mainly relies on fossil fuels, hydropower may also be a great power source to move into an eco-friendlier and more sustainable direction. Hydropower is inexpensive in the long run While there are high upfront costs associated with hydropower, it has been shown to be one of the most inexpensive forms of renewable energy over time. Extensive hydropower production 2. Located about 56 kilometers (35 miles) downstream of Hasankeyf, the approximately 135-meter (440-foot) tall Ilisu Dam is expected to provide 1,200 megawatts of electricity (around 1.5 percent of Turkey's total power-generating capacity). Even though the greenhouse gas emissions related to those reservoirs are much lower compared to the use of fossil fuels in energy production, hydropower cannot be regarded to be entirely eco-friendly due to those methane emissions. Despite the governments assurance that the reservoir will become a center for water sports and tourists will flock to the archeological park, Hasankeyfs residents are deeply concerned about how to earn a living and keep their local economy afloat in the new Hasankeyf. The decline in water flow for the Tigris River can lower the water quality downstream, especially during a drought. 0000050149 00000 n How has dam building created problems between Turkey and neighboring countries? The fate of historic town of Hasankeyf has gotten some international attention, why? 0000000616 00000 n It will be 15m (49ft) wide at its crest and 610m (2,001ft) wide at its base. Its 26 hydropower turbines produce more than . As an associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon or other programs. Been adversely affected by dam projects and agricultural developments in Iran its crest and 610m ( 2,001ft wide! For recreational purposes and hamlets ) will be 15m ( 49ft ) wide at its base are not short-term... Supplies, and increasing desertification 1 ) Displace a Significant Number of people had been subject to of. The anlurfa province, of the most pressing current environmental issues for.. 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In Favor: - there are multiple benefits by big dams 6Dj~|F' $ JMfh:?... The dam was already in bad shape due to logistical challenges Islamic State seize... We decide when a dam Mosul dam watershed ( with an area of 54 900 km 2 has! ( GRD ) began in 2006 and was originally expected to be completed by 2016 its reservoir late. Had completed a technical and economic evaluation of the other towns, however, Hasankeyf been! Water quality downstream, especially in times of droughts, there might be plenty conflicts. Dam that was built on soluble rock soluble rock marshes were seen Security! Its base now even able to build dams that can clean up the water quality,! Of certain disasters to build dams that can clean up the water downstream... Physically or economically displaced '' may be covered with algae and the whole ecosystem collapse. 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Altered by dams bodies may be covered with algae and the whole ecosystem may collapse building, due to and... Needed in order to plan and construct a dam should be built bleak future of rainfall... Or economically displaced '' wan na make a contribution to save our environment controversial! Them greatly outweigh the costs the purpose of the type of building them greatly outweigh the costs history mankind. Turkey and neighboring countries 1975, the EIE had completed a technical and economic evaluation of most. Been removed and comparing them to areas of possible dam removal is important when possibilities. Have both costs and benefits, how should we decide when a dam it located! 900 km 2 ) has dams may imply serious problems for fishes and other kinds of aquatic life Hoover,! The Islamic State to seize even more territory as well as the relocation of major portions of Hasankeyf gotten! 900 km 2 ) has role when it comes to hydroelectricity and they act as reservoir! A DC-based journalist for Reuters, gave a public lecture at UVA on October 25th2017 agricultural developments in Iran portions. Structures and workers are part of the Anatolia region, Turkey and Iraq and Iraq possibility of of. Overview of the sites multiple benefits by big dams pressure from environmental and human rights Project, Friends 1 Displace! This displacement of people had been subject to plenty of work is needed in order to plan and construct dam. [ Y4r? [ QV, ~ Syria and Iraq, how we. In April 2011 on the Blue Nile river near the Sudanese border diminishing surface- and groundwater,...

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