Water

Question 1

Describe how dam and reservoirs are used to supply water

Answer 1

Dams hold back, save, manage and prevent the flow of excess water. Water is often used to generate HEP. Reservoirs are artificial lake for storing water and they are often found near damns.

Question 2

How are wells and boreholes used to supply water?

Answer 2

Tap into water bearing rocks to gain access to groundwater. They are sunk down directly to the water table. A borehole is drilled by a machine, wells are made by hand. Some wells require pumping to get water to the surface

Question 3

Describe desalination

Answer 3

Water distilled by boiling. It is expensive because it uses a lot of energy.

Question 4

Describe cloud seeding

Answer 4

Substances that serve as cloud concentration nuclei can be sprayed into the air, encouraging the formation of ice particles. If the particles become heavy enough, they fall as rain

Question 5

What is the Highlands water project in Lesotho?

Answer 5

Dams were built in Lesotho to funnel water to SA. SA pay Lesotho $1.5million a month for the water transfer.

Question 6

What were the phases of the Highlands water project?

Answer 6

Phase 1:
- Katse dam
- 48.2km tunnel
- transfers water to Muela HEP station
- tunnel from Muela to SA (Vaal river)

Phase 2:
- Mahale dam
- tunnelled to Katse dam

Question 7

Why was Lesotho suitable for the project?

Answer 7

• average annual rainfall of 1000mm
• good quality water
• mountainous
• dams in areas of good geology

Question 8

Positive impacts of project

Answer 8

• 4000 jobs created to build Katse dam
• HEP provides electricity
• many roads build
• $1.5mil

Question 9

Negative impact of the project

Answer 9

• flooding of large areas
• farmers lost homes and grazing
• didn’t receive promised compensation