(W) Water management across national borders - the Mekong River Flashcards
1
Q
discharge
A
the amount of water in a river
2
Q
hydrograph
A
shows rainfall and the discharge of a river
3
Q
issues surrounding the Mekong (6)
A
- water levels have dropped because of the dams
- flash floods are created when water is suddenly released from the dams, damaging homes
- land has been flooded
- there is less water for people and farms, so farming yields drop
- there is more deposition (as the water level drops), making rivers harder to navigate, decreasing trade
- the population of fish decreases as they can’t get past the dams
4
Q
who is affected by the issues? (1+4)
A
countries downstream as water from the river has to pass through other dams before it reaches them (Cambodia, Thailand)
- the country loses money from trade
- fishermen earn less
- farmers earn less
- people’s homes are flooded
5
Q
countries the Mekong passes through (6)
A
- China
- Burma
- Laos
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Cambodia
6
Q
why are seasonal floods important in the Mekong basin?
A
they are needed to irrigate/flood the rice fields, otherwise the crop will fail
7
Q
positive effects of the dams (3)
A
- more people have access to a safe water supply, reducing disease, allowing them to work more and reducing pressure on health services
- electricity can be generated by the dams (hydroelectric power) making it cheaper and reducing carbon emissions
- jobs are created around the dams
8
Q
short term management strategies (3)
A
- assist neighbouring countries during emergencies
- advise householders
- assess flood risks in communities
9
Q
long term management strategies (4)
A
- better land use planning so houses aren’t built on floodplains
- build small dams/flood walls/embankments to hold back floodwater
- co-operate with neighbouring governments about management/set up an annual flood conference
- fund a flood control centre to issue forecasts
