Are Dams the Answer?

Question 1

What is a Dam?

Answer 1

A dam is a man made structure that controls a rivers water flow in order to control floods and generate electricity as well as supply water for towns and cities.

Question 2

Pros to Dams

Answer 2

¼ of the world’s dams produce 20% of the world’s energy
Dams produce cleaner energy
Energy from dams help supply electricity
Water activities

Question 3

Three Gorges Case Study

Answer 3

If filled properly, it gives lots of energy through heavy waterflow
Having such a large dam catches this water instead of flooding
Initially, the dam was built to combat flood destruction, but with sediment buildup it no longer serves this purpose
There’s a chance this dam collapses because of where it was built
There’s a lot of things rotting in the water, emitting lots of co2 which is really bad for the environment
World’s largest sewer

Question 4

Cons to Dams

Answer 4

Makes water levels high, resulting in flooding and sometimes displacement
Hurts freshwater fish populations
Buildup of silt and sediment makes dams useless after about 50 years
Can make lakes disappear

Question 5

What is special about Houston Dams?

Answer 5

Overflow prevents overtopping!