Water On The Land-Case Studies Flashcards
Facts about the management of a water supply case study.
In l879 it was decided to build a dam at Vyrnwy. The first stage was completed in 1892, the dam took 10 years to complete fully as additional catchments were added. The acqueduct to bring the water from Wales to Liverpool was a major feat of engineering, and took the form of cast iron pipes underground.
What is the case study for a management of water supply?
The river Vyrnwy in Powys in the UK.
What is the size of the three gorges damn?
181 metres high, 2.3 km wide and 660 km long.
What are the disadvantages of the three gorges dam?
- Flooding from tributaries downstream still takes place (flooded fertile agriculture) which means that the reservoirs levels have to be kept low, affecting the amount of HEP generated.
- The river used to carry over 500 million tonnes of load every year. But up to 50% of this is being deposited behind the damn, which could reduce the storage capacity of the reservoir and the decreased load downstream will cause increased river and coastal erosion.
- Water pollution from shipping waste
- Environmental problems such as destruction of wildlife’s habitats from deforestation (increased surface runoff), extinction of the Chinese river dolphin due to altering with the rivers flow and decline in fish because less fresh water is reaching the sea.
- increased traffic from new five-way locks
- 1.4 million forced to move homes to accommodate for the dam, promised compensation which some have not received.
What are the advantages of the three gorges damn?
Controls and reduces flooding (15 million people living in high risk flood ares), protects over 25,000 hectares of farmland, Generates hydro electricity power (10% of China’s electricity needs) and raised water levels above the damn enable more and larger ships to navigate further upstream than before.
What problems have there been in the past to do with the flooding on the river Yangtse?
For centuries the Yangtse has flooded, causing over 300,000
deaths during the 20th century alone – 200,000 in the 1930s, 30,000 in 1954 and over 1,500 in 1998.
Where is the three gorges damn?
The Three Gorges Damn was constructed Yichang on the river Yangtse in China.
What is the case study for hard engineering?
Three Gorges Damn, China.
What methods were used to prevent future flooding in Bangladesh? (Long term responses)
Laws to reduce deforestation, 350km of 7m high embankments have been built, 7 damns constructed and 5,000 flood shelters built.
What were the short term responses to manage the situation? (Bangladesh)
Other governments and international charities distributed food, water, medical aid, clothing and blankets. Technical equipment like rescue boats were also sent to help people stranded. The United Nations launched an appeal for $74 million but only received 20% by September. An appeal by WaterAid helped supply water purification tablets and posters highlighting hygiene risks in flood water.
What was the effect of the flood in Bangladesh on the people and area?
Around 20 million people were in need of relief, 6 million people were in need of makeshift shelter, around 5 million people were exposed to water born diseases, 100,000 people in Dhaka alone were suffering from diarrhoea. Damaged transport and flooded airport at Dhaka, rice fields and crops washed away, 500,000 cattle and poultry killed and water poisoned. Damage to schools and hospitals cost around $7 billion to repair.
What was the cause of the Bangladesh flood?
Heavy continuous rainfall on saturated soil, monsoons, poorly maintained rivers and lake embankments, melting snow from the Himalayas and a dam burst its banks in the Himalayas.
Where is Bangladesh?
It is surrounded by India in Asia.
Where is Cockermouth?
In the Lake District, North West of England.
What case study is used for the flooding of an LEDC?
Bangladesh in 2004
