The Reasons For Building Dams and Their Effect

The rapid increase in the world population with the industrial revolution has led to a rapid increase in the need for energy. Therefore, interest in solar energy, geothermal energy, hydro energy and wind energy, which are called renewable energy, is gradually increasing. One of the most important reasons for this is that fossil energy sources have accelerated global warming. Dams are one of the most important sources of energy production in developing countries. But, building dams has its harms as well as its benefits.

In favour of the hydroelectric power plant added to the dams built on the rivers, it is possible to obtain electricity from the flowing water. Since hydroelectric energy is a renewable energy source, it does not emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and is constantly able to renew itself. Hydroelectric energy is a renewable energy source, it does not emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and is constantly able to renew itself. However, dams built to obtain hydroelectric energy have direct and indirect damage to nature and living things. First, it causes a decrease in productivity in marine life and agriculture. Another important situation is that the creatures, plants and historical monuments in the region where the dams are located are seriously damaged. As reported by Pennyworth (2009), Dams interrupt the life cycle of fish species that must travel upstream to spawn, and impact plant and animal species in the river and its floodplain. A large proportion of the nutrients that flow down a river and form an essential part of the food chain of the river’s ecosystem get trapped by the dam, starving the ecosystem.

On the other hand, collapse and explosion may occur in dams. As a result, the spread of millions of tons of water bodies into the environment causes destruction. As stated by Donatella (2009), Dams can be built and operated in a way that augments downstream water quality, enhances fish and wildlife habitat, and provides for a variety of recreational activities, such as fishing, boating, and swimming. However, poorly designed dams result in major ecological changes in river and wetland systems. 

Another negative effect is the migration of people living around the dam. According to The Water Encyclopaedia (2010), Worldwide, 40 to 80 million people may have been physically displaced by dam construction. Displacement has direct economic costs because of the disruption of livelihoods (fishing, farming, and ranching). It also has social costs due to the transformation of communities and their traditional social structures and histories.

In a nutshell, building dams has its harms as well as its benefits. All beings in nature are like the link of a chain. A mistake leads to significant environmental and social problems. Although the water problem has been solved to a great extent thanks to the dams, problems have arisen directly and indirectly. Conscious dam construction is of great importance both for the protection of natural resources and for the future of humanity and other living things.

Pennyworth N. (2009), Scientific Committee Report

Retrieved 16/10/2022

Donatella, H. (2009) Journal of Environmental and Public Health

Retrieved 16/10/2022

The Water Encyclopaedia (2010)

Retrieved 16/10/2022