Lesson 15 - Integrated basin management for large rivers (IWRM)

Question 1

What is IWBM (integrated water resources management) and what is it based upon?

Answer 1

IWBM emphasises the river as a logical geographical unit for the management of water resources. It is based upon achieving achieving a close cooperation between basin users and players.

Question 2

Give three reasons why the river is treated holistically?

Answer 2

• To ensure the environmental quality of the river and its catchment
• To ensure that the water is used efficiently
• To ensure a equitable distribution of water amongst users

Question 3

Where is IWBM most successful and where is it less successful?

Answer 3

Experience has shown that IWBM works well at a community level, but not so well in large river basins, especially if an international boundary is involved, as is the case with the Colorado River and the Nile.

Question 4

What are the aims of Integrated river basin management?

Answer 4

• To balance water use amongst all stakeholders
• To achieve a balanced and mutually acceptable approach to land, water and natural resource management

Question 5

Give two advantages of integrated river basin management?

Answer 5

• All stakeholders are involved in trying to ensure that an acceptable solution is reached
• The Clean Water Act in the US has improved the water quality.

Question 6

Why are integrated management schemes often unsuccessful?

Answer 6

Integrated management schemes are not always successful as the agreements are often short sighted and do not account for future changes which will impact water use, such as population growth.

Question 7

Why are agreements often difficult to reach?

Answer 7

The demands of each stakeholder are often too high.