lecture 1: Fundamentals of water 5

Question 1

Surface water detention in dams (artificial lakes)

Answer 1

> 36000 large dams in the world
21% of the global land area drains into a dam
Critical for urban supply and irrigation

Question 2

6000 of the major global dams

Answer 2

Vary is size and geographical distribution
Much more common in developed world
Capacity growing rapidly in less developed world

Question 3

Storage in snow and ice

Answer 3

68% of global freshwater in snow and ice

huge seasonal changes
Important input during dry season eg India from Himalaya

long term change (climate change)

Question 4

Soil water storage

Answer 4

Fundamental to agriculture

Optimal soil water conditions required for food production

Question 5

Groundwater:

Answer 5

Supplies baseflow of rivers

Clean water supply for many urban, industrial and agricultural uses

Often ‘fossil’ water is used