4. Lancang- Mekong Dam Cascade Flashcards
What are the multi-purpose roles of large-scale dams?
They act as storage of water, provide economic stimulus, offer regional transport routes, create leisure opportunities, and defend against flooding.
How many people are employed in hydropower and dam construction projects in China?
No less than 250,000 people.
What is one significant benefit of reservoirs created by dams?
They provide vital defense against flooding.
How many people downstream of the Three Gorges Dam have been protected from floods?
More than 1 million people.
What essential source of renewable energy can be provided by dams when integrated with hydro-power?
Energy largely free of carbon emissions.
What economic benefits can dams and hydroelectric power provide for developing economies?
They can fuel economic development.
True or False: Large-scale dams do not lead to the displacement of communities.
False.
What was the impact of the Three Gorges Dam on local communities?
It displaced more than 1.3 million people.
What are some environmental impacts of large-scale dams?
Disturbance of riparian ecosystems, rapid rates of erosion, lowering of water tables, and high levels of sedimentation.
What is the Lancang-Mekong Dam Cascade?
A string of major dams built by China on the Mekong River.
How many major dams are constructed by China on the Mekong River?
7 major dams.
What is the total energy capacity produced by the Lancang-Mekong Dam Cascade?
15,780 MW.
Fill in the blank: The reservoirs created by the Lancang-Mekong Dam Cascade have a total accumulative length of _______.
3,696 km.
What is one economic advantage of the Lancang-Mekong Dam Cascade for China?
It supports industry, creates jobs, and drives economic growth.
What are some disadvantages of the Lancang-Mekong Dam Cascade?
- Displacement of 100,000 people
- Inadequate compensation for resettlement
- Erratic flow rates threaten downstream livelihoods
- Loss of sediment flow reduces fertility of land.
What do activist groups like Save the Mekong suggest about electricity generation from the Mekong Cascade?
It is not used to support regional development.
How does the Chinese Government view the impacts of the Mekong Cascade on relations with other Mekong nations?
They suggest it has increased transparency, cooperation, and economic integration.
What phenomenon threatens downstream communities due to erratic flow rates from the Mekong Dam Cascade?
‘Mekong tsunamis.’
