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Water security can determine dam attitudes


A recent study has explored social awareness of and attitudes towards dams and reservoirs in two regions of contrasting climate and water security in Spain. The results show that that perception of impacts and benefits of such infrastructure depends on regional water security, highlighting the value of involving local citizens in decision-making processes about water management


FEW STUDIES HAVE PREVIOUSLY addressed the general population’s social acceptance of European dams and reservoirs. Although research has touched upon the fact that people directly affected (ie displaced) by a reservoir are more aware of the negative environmental impacts of dams than non-resettled people; resettled women perceive significantly more dam benefits than men; and water quality and connectivity are considered desirable river features, Dopico et al wanted to fill gaps in the research they recently carried out. They decided to interview people living in two regions with contrasting climate and water security in wet and dry areas of Spain, one of the countries with the highest number of dams in Europe. The regions were the warm dry Malaga province in Andalusia and the colder, wetter province of Asturias (Bay of Biscay) where rainfall is high and there are no water shortages. In their study the authors demonstrated a higher acceptance of dams in a region more dependent on them for water security than in a wetter region with higher annual precipitation, where dams are less important for water security. The population of the dry Malaga province were more aware of the services provided by dams, and this perception had a positive and significant impact on their acceptance.


Above: El Gastor Reservoir in Andalusia, Spain


Right: The Barcena Dam in the El Bierzo region of Spain


32 | May 2023 | www.waterpowermagazine.com


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